Lalibela
 |
|
Came to existence after the decline of Axum , originally, called Roha
and it was the capital of a local dynasty known as The Zagwe. The town
was renamed Lalibela after its most important ruler who lived in late
twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, made and well known for the 11
eleven rock-hewn churches, king Lalibela. The churches are really the
bright marks of that period. The town of Lalibela located at the top of
a hill flourishes with a museum of rock hewn churches. The rock hewn churches
of Lalaibela are the most famous which cut out of soft volcanic tuff and
extremely fine. Alvarez, who visited Lalibela in
1520, described them as “edifices, the like of which-and and so many-can
not be found any where else in the world. They are churches entirely excavated
in the rock, very well hewn…It wears me to write more of these works,
because it seems to me that they will not believe me, If I write more.”
Lalibela is 642 killometers from Addis Ababa and traveling is possible
by road and daily flight by Ethiopian Air Lines. Lalibela is particularly
interesting during religious celebrations, notably in Ethiopian Christmas
(January 7), this day is also the birth date of king Lalibela him self.
The physical land escape of the town is characterized by a rugged topography
on a mountain, in a picturesque setting at an altitude of 2630 meters
above mean sea level. Besides the 11 rock-hewn churches, there are many
churches out side the town of Lalaibela , which are made before or nearly
the same period and are very attractive.