26/12/2019
“Lalibela is history and mystery frozen in stone!”
No matter what you’ve heard about Lalibela, no matter how many pictures you’ve seen of its breathtaking rock-hewn churches, nothing can prepare you for the reality of seeing it for yourself. It’s not only a World Heritage site, but truly a world wonder.
, a world Heritage site, undoubtedly ranks among the greatest religious – historical sites in the Christian world. Lalibela is located at 642 KM from Addis Ababa. These monolithic churches were originally thought to have been built in the 12th century during the reign of King Lalibela, but some have been dated back to the 10th century
The churches of were not constructed — they were . Each church was created by first carving out a wide trench on all four sides of the rock of monolithic blocks. These blocks were further chiseled out, forming doors, windows, columns, various floors, roofs etc. This gigantic work was further completed with an extensive system of drainage ditches, trenches and ceremonial passages, some with openings to hermit caves and catacombs.
is often referred to as the “New Jerusalem” of Africa. One of the legends is that an angel took the Emperor of Lalibela to Jerusalem to see the churches. Struck with wonder, upon returning to Lalibela, the Emperor built his own “New Jerusalem” so that pilgrims wouldn’t have to make the dangerous and long journey to the true Jerusalem. No matter if the legend is true, pilgrims continue to journey to Lalibela each year where they receive the same blessings as those pilgrims who travel to Jerusalem.
Every year on Ethiopian Christmas day on January 7 most of local pilgrims reach Lalibela from far off hamlets and inaccessible valleys, walking on their bare feet for days, weeks, and even months to share its blessings. Although Ethiopian Christmas is on January 7, there will be diverse ceremonies held around the rock-hewn churches starting the night of January 4th.
This is an ancient Christian tradition that has remained unchanged over the years. Witnessing this event, you feel like you are transported centuries back in time.