Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

According to local tradition, King Lalibela built these churches in the 12th century to create a 'New Jerusalem' for Christian pilgrims after the Muslim conquest of the Holy Land halted travel. They were carved top-down out of solid volcanic tuff. This incredible engineering feat avoided the need for scaffolding during construction.

There are exactly eleven medieval monolithic churches carved into the rock at Lalibela. They are divided into two main groups, with the famous Church of Saint George (Bete Giyorgis) carved into the ground in the shape of a cross. The entire complex is connected by a maze of tunnels and trenches.

The churches were commissioned by the Ethiopian King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, who ruled the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries. He aimed to establish a holy city in his own kingdom. According to local legend, angels assisted the workers in carving the massive structures.

Yes, the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela remain highly active places of worship for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Priests and monks still hold daily services inside the ancient stone walls. They are considered one of the holiest sites in Ethiopia and draw thousands of pilgrims annually.