Amhara · Ethiopia
Lalibela
Eleven monolithic churches carved down into living rock in the 12th century.
Lalibela is a working pilgrimage town, not a museum. Eleven churches were excavated straight down into red volcanic tuff and are still used for daily liturgy. Arrive before sunrise to see priests and pilgrims filling the trenches around Bete Giyorgis, then spend the afternoon on the northern cluster with a licensed local guide.
Highlights
- Bete Giyorgis at first light
- Northern church cluster and tunnels
- Asheton Maryam monastery hike
- Genna pilgrimage in January