Built in the 16th century, these 11 rock-hewn churches continue to attract and intrigue countless visitors. Their unique and astonishing architecture is so remarkable that even the creators themselves may have doubted whether people would believe in what they had constructed.
The Land of Rock-Hewn Churches
Lalibela is one of the cities of the Amhara people, also known as Kilil, in Ethiopia. Located at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level at 12.04 degrees North and 39.04 degrees East, its current population is approximately 8,484. Lalibela serves as a center for pilgrimage.
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Inside the church, the hewn stones used for construction remain intact. Scientists have yet to answer how people in the 13th century managed to transport these stones from nearby mountainous regions to the construction site. (Photo: rainbowtours) |
This city features churches carved from solid rock during the reign of Saint Lalibela (a member of the Zagwe dynasty), who ruled over Ethiopia in the 13th century. The city is home to 11 ancient churches grouped into three clusters. The northernmost group includes the rock-hewn church Bete Medhane Alem, the largest in the world, which may be a replica of the Church of Saint Ary in Aksum, another region of Ethiopia. The western group features Bete Giorgis, which is the most well-preserved, while the eastern group consists of four churches dedicated to royalty, including Bete Gabriel-Rufael, which is known for producing the oldest communion bread (from wheat flour) in the world.
The first Europeans to discover these churches were the Portuguese explorer Pêro da Civilhã (1460 – 1562). However, one of the notable discoverers of Lalibela was Portuguese priest Francisco Alvares (1465 – 1540), who accompanied the Portuguese ambassador on a visit to Lebna Dengel in the 1520s.
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Unique and sacred – words often left by visitors after visiting this ancient cross. With architecture entirely made of stone, constructed nearly 5 meters below ground, this is now considered a holy land for the people of Lalibela. (Photo: weltkulturerbe) |
A Masterpiece by an Anonymous Architect
The church was entirely hewn from the volcanic rock of the surrounding mountains. Initially, deep trenches were carved around the large rock formations on the mountainside, separating them from the mountain itself. Then, stone was excavated from top to bottom, creating a rock-hewn church with a round roof, windows, corridors, and large doorways. Inside, apart from the stone columns supporting the roof and arches, everything else was hollowed out.
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A priest in the church |
These churches are built sturdily and are expansive. The Church of the Savior measures 33.5 meters in length, 23.5 meters in width, and 10.6 meters in height. The Church of Sainte Maria features windows in the shape of Latin crosses and Greek crosses, as well as swastikas and circular crosses. The main stone column in the church is wrapped in cloth.
The churches are interconnected by a network of volcanic tunnels resembling a labyrinth. The large rock mass that forms the Church of Saint George is intricately carved with equal crosses. Saint George is situated in a very deep volcanic chamber, with underground passages connecting it to the entrance, serving as a monument to the heroic endeavors and extraordinary spirit of those who built the church.
Architectural researchers of the churches in Ethiopia identify two origins: first, they are built in the Axumite architectural style characterized by solid rock and wood used for the central pillars; second, they follow the architectural style of deep churches with two rows of columns commonly seen during Roman times. These churches reflect the prominent architectural traditions of Axumite and ancient Mediterranean Christianity, representing a new creative expression of religious art on Ethiopian soil.
In 1978, Lalibela was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Trần Ngọc Phúc
