"Lalibela - A Holy Heritage B ..." a Lalibela Travel Page by frockland

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Carved out of a single rock!

Lalibela is a quiet mountain village that is famous and world wide known for its rock-hewn churches. Only 50 years ago the remote village was quite difficult to reach. Leaving from Weldiya - the nearest city - it took several days by mules get to here. Nowadays it much easier since a road was finished and the airport was opened. But still it takes about 2 days from Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa or three days from Aksum by bus.

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Inside a Church

Monolithic churches are a churches made out of a single block of stone. They are usually hewn from the ground or from the side of a hill or mountain. There are many monolithic churches around Tigray but Lalibela is the most well known place for this impressive constructions. All the 13 monolithic churches in Lalibela were probably constructed within a 100-year period around the 13th century. The still functioning churches belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In recognition of their significance the rock hewn churches were declared as a UNESCO World Heritage.