Lalibela
Trip to Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia:
Following the down fall of the Axumite Empire in the 10 century AD, a new dynasty was emerged in Lasta province, known under the name of Zagwe Dynasty. According to Ethiopian tradition the first five kings of this dynasty were of Jewish faith. However; the last six converted to Christianity. One of them was Lalibela, founder of the Holy town, Lalibela, the former Roha, which play an important part in the history of rock-cut architecture.
This Holy land, Lalibela laying at an altitude of 2630 m was the capital city of Ethiopia in the 12th and 13th century. The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of such centuries ‘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 pilgrimage and devotion. It was during these periods, that the wonderful eleven rock hewn churches have been built by king Lalibela. Bete Medhane alem, home to the Lalibela Cross and believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world, Bete Maryam (possibly the oldest of the churches), Bete Golgotha (known for its arts and said to contain the tomb of King Lalibela), the Selassie Chapel and the Tomb of Adam are found altogether in Bete Golgotha, Bete Denagil, Bete Meskel, Bete Giyorgis, said to be the most finely executed and best preserved church, Bet Amanuel, (possibly the former royal chapel), BeteMerkorios (which may be a former prison), Bet Abba Libanos ,Bete Gabriel-Rafael (possibly a former royal palace), linked to a holy Bakery, Bete Lihem.
Farther afield are the Monastery of Ashetan Maryam, Naekoto Leab and Yimrehane Kristos church (possibly eleventh century, built in the Aksumite fashion but within a cave. These are incredible works of man the like which cannot be found elsewhere in this world. These Magnificent rock churches have got the status of UNESCO’S world heritage site.
Tours to this Holy land, Lalibella can be made all the days of the year by safari Ethiopia Tours Operators. During Ethiopian Christmas and Epiphany on the 7th and 19th of January respectively tremendous pilgrims and guest gathered from all angles of Ethiopia and different parts of the world to attend and admire the unique religious ceremonies.
The other nearby churches to be reached from Lalibela are:
Makina Medhanealem
Sarsana Mikael
Genata Mariam
Arbatu Ensessa
Yemrehanna krestos
Bilbla Kerkos and Bilbla Giorgis.
Travel and tours to Ethiopia with Safari Ethiopia tour operators
A Holiday vacation trip with Tour Operators based in Ethiopia
Travel and tours to Ethiopia with Safari Ethiopia tour operators
A Holiday vacation trip with Tour Operators based in Ethiopia
If you want a customized itinerary, quotation, or any other tour information about your trip and holiday vacations , Safari Ethiopia, the local tour operator in Ethiopia is very happy to help. This holiday is operated by a company found in the holiday destination, Ethiopia. Safaris Ethiopia Tours will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price.
