Lalibela is a small town in the region of Amhara in northern
Ethiopia. It is well known for its diverse rock-cut churches which date back
from the 12th and 13th centuries. These churches are pilgrimage sites for
Coptic Christians. Sculptured out of rock, the subterranean monoliths contain
huge Bete Medhane Alem, and cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis. Many are connected by
tunnels and foxholes, and some have engraved bas-reliefs and colored freshest
inside.
How many rock hewn churches does Lalibela have?
Lalibela has 11 rock-hewn churches which are
of are a focal point and a place of pilgrimage for Ethiopian Christians.
Where are the churches of Lalibela situated?
The 11 medieval monolithic grotto churches which were made
during 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are placed in a mountainous region which is
in the centre of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped
abodes. Still today, it is a place of pilmigrage and devotion.
How old are the Ethiopian churches of Lalibela?
Alebachev Retta, an 86-year-old church learner who has
examined in some of Ethiopia's holiest cities, concludes what makes
these churches so unique. These churches are dissimilar to usual
churches as they were constructed from the top to down. "Everywhere in the
world, building and structures are constructed from the ground up," but
here, it was top to down.
What is the history of Lalibela?
The town of Lalibela was initially named as Roha. It was
given a new name after the 12th-century King Lalibela, who instructed
these extraordinary churches. Lalibela was a part of the Zagwe
dynasty, which had confiscated the Ethiopian throne around 1000 AD.
What does rock hewn mean?
Rock hewn is anything which is carved or engraved out of wood or
any other hard material like a rock, stone, metal, etc. A hewn
rock sculpture is cut and moulded out of a slab of stone.
Who built the Lalibela churches?
The churches of Lalibela were introduced by
the Kedemit Mikael, considered by local tradition to be the first
Christian church constructed in the area. It was licensed by Aksumite
King Kaleb sometime after he created the city of Roha in the 6th century AD.
What does Lalibela mean in English?
Lalibela was provided with the name
"Lalibela", which means "the bees acknowledge his
sovereignty" in Old Agaw, due to a swarm of bees said to have besieged him
at his birth, which his mother took as an indication of his future reign as the
king or ruler of Ethiopia
Can you suggest the Itinerary for touring Lalibela and
surrounding?
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
You may spend afternoon and 2 to 3 days scouting the rock-hewn
churches of Lalibela. 2-3 days are enough to see these churches. It is worth
the value to visit Bet Giyorgis at least twice, especially with regard to see
cover a sunset visit and once more in the morning to avoid the crowds.
You can
plan your time as follows.
- Day 1 (afternoon): Tour northern churches and Bet Giyorgis
- Day 2: visit southern churches
- Day 3: visit Bet Giyorgis early in the morning and northern churches for second time
If you’re on a tighter schedule, you can forego Day 3 and still
see everything.
TIPS FOR VISITING LALIBELA
- Guides are not necessary but are useful and will stop touts from hassling you
- Be cautious of taking video with a professional camera as people are asked to pay more for using handy cams
- There is no water on sale at the sites so carry plenty of water.
- If you’re not using a guide then ask ticket inspectors or guards for help and directions
- Don’t miss the tunnels – they’re not easily found so you may need to ask and proceed
- Carry a torch for the tunnel zones
- The southern churches are any day a better choice.
- If touts hassle you then it’s worth saying you visited with a guide
- All sites are quieter in the mornings
- Tuk tuk drivers are expert hagglers so be wary of paying too much!
- 50 birr from southern churches Ben Abeba restaurant on the fringes of town
- 40 birr from northern to town Ben Abeba restaurant
- 20 birr from town centre (Ethiopia Airlines) to Top Twelve Hotel
Where to stay at Lalibela?
You may stay at Top Twelve Hotel which is traveller’s famous
choice as it is an amazing hotel with only 12 rooms. The rooms are fresh and
clean and functional and offer reliable wifi which is rare to find there. The
matter of fact, however, is the exceptional views of the surrounding hills.
What is the perfect time to visit Lalibela?
The best time to visit Lalibela in Ethiopia is October to March
when there are pleasant temperatures, blue skies and low rainfall in most parts
of the country.
How much does it cost to visit the churches?
The Lalibela entrance fee is 1,355 birr per person ($50 USD) and
includes admission to all the rock-hewn churches for a period of four days.
Licensed guides cost 200 birr ($7) per day and can be booked at the ticket
office.
A tuk tuk from Top Twelve Hotel should cost no more than 30 birr
($1 USD) to the northern churches and 50 birr ($1.8 USD) for the southern ones.
The famous Bete Giyorgis (St George) stands out amid the northern and southern
clusters.
Domestic flights can be boarded to Lalibela from Addis Ababa,
Bahir Dar, Gondar and Mekele. It is cheaper to book flights at an Ethiopian
Airlines office in the country.
Popular things to do in
Lalibela
Church
of St. George, Lalibela
The Church
of St. George (Bete Giyorgis) is one of the 11 rock-hewn monolithic churches in
Lalibela. It is a famous city in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Initiall it was
called as Roha (Warwar), the historical and religious site was named Lalibela
after the King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty, who guided and
helped its construction. He is viewed as a saint by the Ethiopian Orthodox
Tewahedo Church. The church was engraved and sculptured from a type of volcanic
tuff. This is the solitary structural material that was used in the structure.
It’s construction is said to be done back in the late 12th or early 13th
century AD, and thought to have been constructed during the reign of King Gebre
Mesqel Lalibela, of the late Zagwe dynasty.
Rock-Hewn
Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela
It is a
popular pilgrim destination and World Heritage Site. Rock-Hewn Churches of
Lalibela stands profound in the mountains at the centre of Ethiopia. Located in
one of the country's holiest cities, the 11 monolithic Ethiopian Orthodox
churches are believed to have been hand-carved out of rock between the 12th and
14th centuries, resembling Jerusalem in their layout. Two groups of churches
flock between the River Jordan, which is linked by drainage systems and
ceremonial passages for visitors to tour.
Yemrehanna
Kristos, Lalibela
To visit
Yemrehanna Kristos, a shrine devoted to a 12th-century king and saint, you
would need to step up the 100 stairs to. Situated within a natural cavern
surrounded by juniper trees, the church features an unusual design, created
with alternating layers of timber beams and plastered stone.
Asheton
Maryam Monastery, Lalibela
Asheton
Maryam Monastery sits hidden in a rocky mountain and is a home to only one
priest. You have to walk up to reach it, but when you get there the priest will
welcome you in a pleasant way and show the sacred items held in the monastery,
including an illustrated Bible. On the way up, you will come across farming
fields that the villagers use for growing plants and vegetables and trade for a
living.
More Information: Tigers Nest Monastery, Bhutan
