Lalibela

Lalibela is known for the 13 churches carved monolithically into the rock of the mountain setting. This truly awesome feat was inspired by Emperor Lalibela possibly in response to the Muslim capture of Jerusalem in 1187. Many of the names and architectural designs were copied from his earlier visit to create the New Jerusalem. Another version has it that the inspiration lay in heavenly instruction contained in a dream.

Most of the churches date back to the 12th and early 13th century, some possibly 50 years earlier. They sit below ground level in an extraordinary religious conglomeration. Many are closely connected by a network of passages from one massive carved structure to the next. Each church has its own design, still in use as religious shrines.

Lalibela itself has a spectacular location at altitude amongst wild mountains, with views over the surrounding plains. The location was previously known Roha, capital of Ethiopia under the Zagwe Dynasty from 10th century for 300 years or so.