LALIBELA
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ORLD HERITAGE SITE"By Vast Expense and hideous pain, The Rock a Church became",
( New History of Ethiopia; Ludolf, H, 1684 ).LALIBELALalibela, the second capital of the ancient Ethiopian empire in the north (next to Axum) and graced with the most beautiful setting on the mountains of Lasta, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Days can be spent exploring the mysterious rock hewn churches carved from solid rock by one of the last kings of the Zagwe dynasty, Lalibela. Previously known as Roha, Lalibela is named after the king.
Here the antiques housed in 11 churches and chapels; namely Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskal, Bete Denagil, Bete Golgotha & Bete Debresina, Bete Amanuel, Bete Merkorios, Bete Aba-libanos, Bete Gebreal Rufael, and Bete Giorgis safe from the prying eyes and plundering hands of hostile interlopers for some 900 years are of particular interest. Lalibela has been a center of pilgrimage since the fall of the 12th c. and became favorite tourist destination starting from the 16th century. Still it is a perfect place to discover ancient architecture & culture. The chapels in Lalibela are of three groups.
First Group (symbolize Earthly Jerusalem);
1. Bete Medhane Alem /House of the Holly Savior/ Measuring 37.7m in length, 23.7m in width and 11.5m in height, Bette Medhane Alem (House of Redeemer of the world) is the largest rock- hewn monolithic church in the world with 72 giant pillars. Explore the 800 year old Lalibela cross that was stolen in 1997 and returned from Belgium to its home in 1999 and many other invaluable antiques inside; including the striking empty graves symbolically chiseled for Abraham, Isaac and Jacobs in the courtyard.
2. Bete Mariam /House of Marry/
Standing on a plinth in a trapezoid excavation without porches, Bete Mariam (House
Of Marry) is a one storey monolithic church that measures 13x9.2x9.1m. The most colorful holiday celebration Christmas has been carried out in this firstly built church. Visit the baptismal containing holly water (which is believed that a bath in it can cure woman sterility), bas-relief of two riders fighting a dragon, variety forms of crosses and impressive ancient paintings in the same courtyard. Bete Mariam is the most internally ornamented and painted church in Lalibela. The paintings represent biblical stories.
3. Bete Meskel / House of the cross/The chapel of Bete Meskel that measures 11m in length and 3.4m width has been excavated in a bulge in the northern wall of Bete Maryam courtyard. Here, the ancient wooden menber (container of the tabote or ark), the cross carved in relief beneath stylized foliage on one of spandrels of the arches and the hermits that inhabit the large caves in the courtyard are also worth a visit.Nearby are the little chapel of Bete Deneghel and the 20thc. Memorial to Ras Kassa Darge who was the governor of central and northwestern Ethiopia prior to the Italian occupation
.4. Bete Denagil /house of virgins/Bete -Denagil is a semi-monolithic rock hewn church carved in the south façade of Bete- mariam courtyard. It is partly projecting (outside) and partly grotto (in a cave). It has two doors from the out side view, one in the inside and a false window to the north.
It is believed to have been dedicated to the 36 saint women who were among the 120 family members of Jesus Christ.
5. Bete Golgota & Bete Debre-sina /twin churches/ Golgotha is the most mysterious church housing its holiest shrine the silassie (trinity) chapel, symbol of tomb of Adam and tomb of king Lalibela. Here, you can see remarkable pieces of early Christian Ethiopian art: figurative relief's that are rare else where in Ethiopia. The bas-relief figures of the 12 apostles; Lalibela's age old hand cross and his rod (praying wooden stick). Bete Golgotha is closed for women. Near by are the buildings of Bete Mikael, Bethlehem, and Keranio.
Second Group (symbolize Heavenly Jerusalem)
6. Bete Amanuel / House of Emmanuel / Carefully sculptured from a block unit of 18x12x12m, Bete Amanuel is the only true monolithic structure of this group. Art historians consider Bete Amanuel to be the most impressive and finest church in Lalibela. It is a home for remains of sacred bees that prophesied Kingship to Lalibela and graves of monks and pilgrims who wanted to be buried here.
From the interior Bete Amanuel is a true Basilica plan which contains five bays, a mighty vaulted nave and two isles and a doomed sanctuary.
7. Bete-Merkorios /House of Merkorios/Bete merkorios is the most seriously damaged cave like rock hewn church in Lalibela. It had partially collapsed and became irregular in shape. The church is dedicated to a martyr of Rome, St. Merkorios which recalls the contacts of early Christian Ethiopia with the Roman Empire.
8. Bete Aba Libanos /House of father LibanosBete Aba- Libanos is a good example of a cave church. The roof is not separated from the rock, but the other three sides are detached by a tunnel. Here priests will tell you that there is a little light in the middle of the altar wall shining day and night by its power. Nearby is monastery village of Lalibela, where many monks and nuns live in tiny caves (4mx3m) hewn out of the rock.
9. Bete Gabriel- Rufael /house of St. Gabreal-Rufael/Bete Gabriel is a two storey building with unusual windows. The monumental northern part facing Bete Gebriel is the most impressive feature. It is ornamented with ogival niches whose top shape is similar to the top part of the Axumite Stella.
The ancient parchment manuscript (800 years-old) and two crosses are treasures that attract a visitor's attention. A Pass through the dark and narrow ridge of rock chiseled to symbolize the "path to heaven".
The third group symbolize Noah’s Ark.
10. Bete Giorgis /House of St. George/
The monolithic Bete Giorgis, which constitutes the 3rd group and architecturally sophisticated, symbolizes Noh's Ark. Its sophistication is revealed in its cruciform floor plan, relief of three equilateral crosses on the roof and straight relief cross in the eastern arm of the church. Two crosses of the Lalibela period and a wooden box in which Saint Lalibela used to put his pristine carving tools, and usually locked by wooden nuts are worth visiting. The presence of this box here signifies that Bete Giorgis is the lastly hewn church.
CHURCHES OUTSIDE TOWN
Yemrehane kristosLying 42 kms northwest of Lalibela, Yemrehane Kristos is undoubtedly the finest church outside the town. Unusually, the church is built rather than excavated with in a cave. The whole church rests on a foundation of carefully laid olivewood panels, which float it perfectly above the marshy ground below.Lookout the bones of countless pilgrims who chose to be buried here, and tombs that include remains of Yemrehane Kristos at the back of the church. Near by are the churches of Arbatu Ensesa, Bilbila Chirkos and Bilbila Giorgis. Bilibila Giorgis resembles Bete Abba Libanos in design.
Asheten MaryamThe church of Asheten Maryam sits atop a mountain that rises above Lalibela to an altitude of nearly 400m. There are commanding views in all directions. The monastery was started during King Lalibela's reign but finished under king Na' akuto La'ab.
The journey takes you through a lovely countryside. Listen out for the witchlike cackle of the francolins resounding around the valley.
Na'akuto La'abLying 6km, from Lalibela, the monastery of Na’akuto La'ab was built by king Lalibela's nephew and successor Na'akuto La 'ab. It is an attractive little church built around a cave. Some very old stone receptacles collect the precious holly water as it drips from the cave roof. Visit the various treasures belonged to its founder including crosses crowns, an illuminated bible, and a metallic drum.
GENETE MARIAMIt is purely monolithic rock hewn church found some 22 kms south east of Lalibela. It’s form of excavation is more or less similar to that of Bete Medihane Alem church in Lalibela..
EVENTS Gena / Christmas (every 7th of January), Timket /Epiphany (Every 20th of January) and Fasika/ Easter and Kidus Yohanes/ Ethiopian New Year (every 11th of September) are colorful celebrations of Lalibela. Many people around the globe and pilgrims all over Ethiopia have been attending the special ceremony of Christmas since long ago.
| the city of Bahirdar |
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| Gonder Fasil Castel world heritage site (UNESCO) |
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| Lalibela world heritage site (UNESCO) |
Seimen mountain National Park (UNESCO)
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