Descend into Lalibela

Attractions

Descend into Lalibela's subterranean world frozen in stone

ETHIOPIA // Right across this list, great monuments feature that have been built by stacking stone on top of stone - making structures higher, bigger and more elaborate than ever before. Perhaps the greatest exception is Lalibela - Ethiopia's foremost historical site, and a city that follows an entirely different rulebook. The 11 monolithic churches that make up this holy city haven't been built in the conventional sense, but rather quarried out of natural bedrock - their forms chiselled into existence in the 12th and 13th centuries. It's not only the extraordinary structures that make this such a compelling place to visit. The city is a headquarters of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church - one of the world's oldest strands of Christianity, tracing its history back to the days of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba - and pilgrims walk from across the country to pray here. There are few experiences more humbling than joining them as they tread barefoot through the subterranean tunnels on the final stretch of their journey, or seeing white-robed congregations pray as centuries-old frescoes of saints peer down from the shadows above.

Is Lalibela 7 Wonders of the World?

Lalibela is a World Heritage Site, considered by some to be the eighth wonder of the world because of its ancient stone churches carved entirely from a single piece of volcanic rock.

Who built Lalibela?

Shah Gobre Mesgal Lalibala

According to local tradition, Lalibela (traditionally known as Roha) was founded by an Agew family called Zagwa or Zagwe in 1137 AD. It is said that these churches were built during the Zagoh dynasty, under the rule of King Gabre Mesgal Lalibala.

What is the mystery of Lalibela?

These religious travelers know who made King Lalibela's dream of the New Jerusalem a reality: the angels. They say they created an army of Lalibela angels. Some believe that angels built 11 churches in one night. These churches are located on the two banks of the Jordan River, King Lalibal, and each one is four stories high.

Why is Lalibela important?

In a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia, 645 kilometers from Addis Ababa, eleven monolithic medieval churches are carved out of stone. Their construction is attributed to King Lalibela who, after the Muslim conquests, stopped the Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land, decided to build the "New Jerusalem" in the 12th century.

Where are the 7 wonder of the world?

The Seven Wonders of the World are a collection of places around the world that are of great importance. These include the Colosseum in Italy, Petra in Jordan, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Wall of China.

Where are the 11 underground churches?

Lalibala stone churches

Lalibela is located approximately 370 miles (600 km) north of Addis Ababa in the Amhara region at an elevation of 8,200 feet (2,500 m). At its center is a unique collection of 11 churches that were cut out of the living rock about 800 years ago.

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