"Lalibela" a Lalibela Travel Page by sachara

Lalibela is famous for its rock-hewn churches.Lalibala attracted allready visitors in the 16th century, but is a still a very isolated place. Till 1997 Lalibela was still unreachable during the wet season.

Lalibela was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th and 13th century. In that time Lalibela was known as Roha. After the death of King Lalibela the town was named after him. King Lalibela, after coming back from his fly to Jerusalem, decided to build this new holy city on African soil in the Lasta mountains.

In February 2004 we visited Lalibela for two days. It was enough to see all the rock-hewn churches in town. If you like also to visit the churches outside of town, it is advisble to spend more days in the area.

In Lalibela are two groups of rock-hewn churches, the northern group and the eastern group. You can find Bet Gabriel-Rafael in the eastern group.

During the ceremony in honour of the beginning of the fast period, this little boy was sitting high above the chanting and praying group of priests and pilgrims near the Bet Maryam.