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Lalibela is one of the most known places in Ethiopia because of its rock-hewn churches.
In the town there are two groups of churches, the northern group and the eastern group, lying at both sides of "River Jordan'' , a canalised watercourse. The Bet Giyorgis lies a bit separated from the both groups at a distance of about 200 Ms.
The ticket office is at the north entrance of the northern group. The tickets give acces to all churches in town and are valid for 3 days.
Opening hours: 8am - noon and 2pm - 5pm.
It's useful to have a guide. He can show you the way to the churches, the passageways and the tunnels, connecting the medieval churches. His services cost about 100 Birr for a group. And it will keep other people, trying to ''guide'' you at a distance. Lalibela was the only place in Ethiopia, I had problems with inofficial ''guides'', disturbing me. For 35 Birr a group, you can also hire somebody to look after your shoes during the day.
In one day I saw more than 10 churches and it wasn't boring at all, because there was so much variety. In fact it was really fascinating !! Leave a Comment Directions: Lalibela is more than 500 KM north of Addis Abeba. You can go there by road in about two days or fly for about 25 euro.
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| | | | Lalibela, lying in the Lasta Mountains | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Lalibela, famous for its rock-hewn churches, lies at a height of 2.630 M in the rugged Lasta Mountains. Lalibala, allthough allready attracting visitors in the 16th century, is a still a very isolated place. Till 1997 Lalibela was still unreachable during the wet season.
We approached Lalilbela from the north, coming from Sekota, having a dramatic view at the mountainridge with Lalibela at top.
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 a new holy city on African soil in the Lasta mountains.
When we arrived in Lalibela, by the winding road up, we had the feeling to land in another time of centuries ago. The town is rather undeveloped. Only since a few years there is electricity, but no banks, pharmacies and good internet facilities. Leave a Comment Directions: More than 500 KM north of Addis Abeba.
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The rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibela in the 12-13th centuries are undoubtely the first thing to see here. There are roughly 2 groups: inside & outside town.
- INSIDE town there are 2 groups of churches (northern and Eastern) and the Bet Gyorgios /the famous cross-shaped church) in the middle. You can go walking to all these, and they are located around the main pedestrian road. Entrance ticket is 100B (10USD) and allows you to visit all the churches in town within the length of your stay. Tickets can be bought at the entrance of the Northern Group. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Lalibela cross, back in Lalibela | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The Bet Medhane Alem is supported by 72 pillars. Except the 34 square pillars we saw at the outside, there are 38 pillars inside the church, supporting the gabled roof. The interior of the church has four aisles.
In a corner you can find three empty graves, symbolically prepared for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The priest showed us the 7 KG gold Lalibela cross. In 1997 it was stolen and sold. After it was discovered in Belgium, the cross came back to Lalibela.
In the dark inside of the churches it's allowed to use flashlight, that's why the priests, showing the crosses, are wearing sunglasses. If you pay, they will take their glasses off. Leave a Comment Address: LalibelaDirections: Northern group of churches
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