What is it
Eleven 12th and 13th century monolithic churches
Where is it
Lalibela, Ethiopia
Did you know?
It is believed angels came down from heaven to take over working on the churches at night? (more facts)
A little more on the Lalibela churches
Located on a high plateau 800 kms north of Addis Ababa, Lalibela is a small town famous for its eleven 12th and 13th century rock hewn churches. Legend says that God came to King Lalibela with visions of the churches and instructed him to build them as part of a ‘New Jerusalem’.
The most famous church, Bet Giyorgis (St. George), was dug out of the bedrock. It is a freestanding church with only its base joined to the original rock and its roof at ground level. 3 other churches were constructed the same way, while the remaining churches were carved from cliff faces and caves.
The details of the churches are considered so amazing that when Priest Fr. Francisco Alvares visited the site in 1520, he wrote “The more I describe the details of these churches, the more I begin to worry people may not believe me”. Today the churches have been quoted as the 8th Wonder of the World and are listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
