Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

拉利贝拉岩石教堂

🇮🇹 Ethiopia📅 1978 Inscribed

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The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, still today a place of pilmigrage and devotion.

Insight I

Built by King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty, it is one of the first World Heritage Sites in Africa.

Insight II

Commissioned as a 'New Jerusalem' for pilgrimage and devotion since the route to Jerusalem was blocked.

Insight III

All 11 churches were hewn from solid rock. Biete Medhane Alem is believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world.