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Content accurate at time of publication
01 Sep 2011
A small town located in the northern Ethiopian highlands, Lalibela is one of the country’s holiest cities. Within the area are 11 mediaeval rock-hewn monolithic churches carved from red volcanic rock at an altitude of almost 2,800m.
Built in the 13th century, four churches, including the Church of St George, were finished as completely free-standing structures attached to the rock surface only at the base. The others are cave-like structures with only certain portions protruding from the rock surface.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the area is a centre of devotion and pilgrimage for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. The tiny population of Lalibela, about 20,000, is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Economically, the community relies on tourists and religious pilgrims.
The rock churches, which are connected to each other by maze-like tunnels, were commissioned by the area’s ruler at the time, King Lalibela (whose name means “the bee recognises its sovereignty”). According to one account, the king was ordered by God to build the churches — with detailed instructions on how to construct them, right down to the requisite colours. Construction was said to have been carried out with remarkable speed, thanks to angels who worked alongside the stonemasons by day, and at night, took on an extra shift without their human counterparts.
Whatever the truth may be, these mystical and beautifully raw churches are concrete testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of yesteryear.
PHOTOS PHOTOLIBRARY / CORBIS
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