Lalibela is an ancient town located in Lasta Province, approximately 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa, 300 kilometers east of Bahr Dar, 529 kilometers south of Axum, 300 kilometers from Dessie, and 180 kilometers northwest of Woldia. It was once the capital of the Zagwe dynasty. Before the town was renamed Lalibela, it was known as Roha, which translates to “Place of Saints.” The town is home to the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, which reflect the deep roots of Ethiopia’s ancient Christian traditions. These churches are not only a testament to Ethiopia’s Christian heritage but also an extraordinary achievement in early Christian art, entirely unique to Ethiopian soil.
Lalibela has earned various names from visitors, such as the New Jerusalem, the Second Jerusalem, the Secret of Jerusalem, the Eighth Wonder of the World, and the Heaven of God.
In 1978, the World Heritage Committee officially recognized Lalibela as a World Heritage Site, listing it for both cultural and historical significance. At that time, 11 of its remarkable rock-hewn churches were included in the UNESCO list.
The legend surrounding Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches continues to captivate even the most skeptical observers. The sheer scale and fine detail of the churches are awe-inspiring, especially considering they were carved entirely out of the ancient granite mountains. The question often arises: How could human beings, without the aid of modern technology, have created such massive and intricate structures? These churches were not merely constructed brick by brick or stone by stone—they were meticulously carved and hewn directly from the rock itself.
The tradition of rock-cut churches in Ethiopia dates back to the 6th century, when the Nine Saints introduced this technique. The practice is thought to be symbolic of the birth and burial places of Jesus Christ—Bethlehem’s cave and Golgotha’s carved rock. Beyond their symbolic significance, the use of rock for church construction was also chosen for its physical durability and lasting quality. While the tradition began in the 6th century, it reached its peak during the reign of King Lalibela in the 12th century, under the Zagwe dynasty. The famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are the finest examples of this architectural tradition. Additionally, there are several other rock-hewn churches near Lalibela, believed to have been commissioned by King Kaleb of Axum in the 6th century.
