Why were the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela built?
In a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia, some 645 km from Addis Ababa, eleven medieval monolithic churches were carved out of rock. Their building is attributed to King Lalibela who set out to construct in the 12th century a ‘New Jerusalem’, after Muslim conquests halted Christian pilgrimages to the holy Land.
How many rock-hewn churches are in Tigray?
120
Now 1600 years later, the Gheralta region of Tigray has more 120 of these rock-hewn churches, each with its own unique ancient murals and relics.
What is unique about the rock cut churches of Lalibela?
Architecture & Layout Lalibela’s churches are unique in that they are hewn from a single piece of living rock. Instead of rising above ground level, they stand in sunken pits with their roofs on the same level as the surrounding landscape.
What is Lalibela known for?
Lalibela, the best-known Zagwe emperor, ruled at the beginning of the 13th century and is known for building the monolithic rock-hewn churches at the Zagwe capital, which was later renamed for him.
What is one unique fact about the churches at Lalibela?
It is famous for its unique Christian churches, built about 800 years ago. Each of the 11 churches was carved out of solid rock. Every year thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit the churches. The rock churches of Lalibela were built underground.
What is Lalibela famous for?
What is the meaning of Lalibela?
the bees recognise his sovereignty
He was given the name “Lalibela”, meaning “the bees recognise his sovereignty” in Old Agaw, due to a swarm of bees said to have surrounded him at his birth, which his mother took as a sign of his future reign as Emperor of Ethiopia.
How old are the churches of Lalibela?
The churches themselves date from the 7th to 13th centuries, and are traditionally dated to the reign of the Zagwe (Agaw) king Gebre Mesqel Lalibela (r. ca. 1181–1221). The layout and names of the major buildings in Lalibela are widely accepted, especially by local clergy, to be a symbolic representation of Jerusalem.
How old are Lalibela churches?
How old are the Lalibela churches?
Who was Lalibela and what did he do?
Are the Lalibela churches still used?
“What makes the Lalibela churches important is that they are still in use,” says Woldegiorgis. “It’s not a museum; it’s a living heritage. Every day, every morning, there is a service in all the churches.” Errol Barnett ventures through Ethiopian cliffs where churches were carved out of stone centuries ago.