Heart of Ethiopia Consists of Monolithic Cave Churches

There is a historical town named Lalibela in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. It is worldwide famous for 11 medieval, monolithic rock – cut cave churches. It still continues to be remembered as a place of pilgrimage and devotion.

This high place following Ethiopian Christianity has churches that were carved out of rocks. These structures are attributed to King Lalibela who constructed these buildings in the 12^th century. He was set out to construct a New Jerusalem after the Muslim conquests stopped Christian pilgrimages to the holy land. Lalibela was highly flourished after the decline of Aksum Empire. The construction dates of these churches are not well established. It is believed that the buildings were built during the reign of Lalibela. It was approximately built during the 12^th and 13^th centuries.

The holy land have two main group of churches that is to the north of the river Jordan and then to the south of the river. The churches constructed were hewn from the living rock of monolithic blocks.

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: School Times, Hindustan Times