We spent four weeks exploring northern parts of Ethiopia with our guide Zewdu. The first stop on our adventure was Lalibela, his hometown and the site of 11 Orthodox Christian churches created by cutting away and down into volcanic rock. The 12th century rock-hewn churches were created because King Lalibela wanted to build a “New Jerusalem” in Ethiopia. Still today, they are active places of worship and the complex is a very important pilgrimage destination. Zewdu’s father serves as a priest in one of the churches, but, sadly, we did not get to meet him during our visit. The amazing complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This post includes images from 7 of the 11 churches. 

Beta Madhane Alem (Church of the Savior of the World)

Beta Maryam (Church of Mary)

Beta Golgotha (Church of Golgotha)

Beta Giyorgis (Church of St. George)

Beta Gabriel (Church of Gabriel)

Beta Merkurios (Church of Mercurius)

Beta Abba Libanos (Church of Father Libanos)

While in Lalibela we also visited two Orthodox Christian monasteries: one rock-hewn and the other built under a very large rock overhang.

Asheton Mariam Monastery

Na’Akute Le’Ab Monastery