The unofficial “Eighth Wonder of the world”, the rock – hewn churches of Lalibela form the single most breathtaking historical site in sub – Saharan Africa.

Lalibela, a medieval settlement in the Lasta area of Wallo, lies at the centre of an extensive complex of rock churches.

Excavated by hand at the end of the 12th century, the complex of the 11 churches and chapels was created under the direction of king Lalibela, who conceived it as a kind of “ New Jerusalem” after a series of Muslim conquests had halted Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Lalibela’s finest churches are subterranean monoliths carved in to massive stone blocks enclosed by an artificial courtyard. Most spectacular among these is the 15 meter tall Bet Giyorgis, a symmetrically cruciform freestanding church dedicated to Saint George. Architecturally, Lalibela is utterly mind blowing. Each building is architecturally unique but each reflects beautifully executed craftsmanship, and several are decorated with fascinating paintings. But it is also one of the few UNISCO world Heritage Sites of comparable vintage to function as a living shrine, one whose ancient stone churches have remained in active use since their excavation eight centuries ago. These astonishing edifices remain places of living worship to this day.

Amazed by the architectural beauty of the churches, the 16th century Portuguese traveler Francisco Alvares, the first European to visit Lalilbela, wrote of its rock – hewn churches: “ I weary of writing more about these buildings, because it seems to me that I shall not be believed if I write more….”