{"id":45137,"date":"2024-10-15T07:00:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T11:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblicalarchaeology.org\/?p=45137"},"modified":"2024-10-14T19:03:56","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T23:03:56","slug":"rock-hewn-churches-of-lalibela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblicalarchaeology.org\/daily\/ancient-cultures\/ancient-near-eastern-world\/rock-hewn-churches-of-lalibela\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Beta<\/a>

Beta Giyorgis (Church of St. George). Photo: \u201cBete Giyorgis 03\u201d by Bernard Gagnon is licensed under CC-by-SA-3.0.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

While many spectacular churches have been constructed in Ethiopia<\/a>, perhaps the country\u2019s most famous churches are the rock-hewn churches. Located 150 miles south of Aksum, Lalibela is the best example of Ethiopia\u2019s hypogean (rock-hewn) architectural tradition. With 11 rock-hewn churches, Lalibela is understandably a place of pilgrimage<\/a> for those in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The site Lalibela was originally called Roha, but it eventually took the name of King Lalibela, who ruled around 1200 C.E. as part of the Zagwe dynasty. King Lalibela is traditionally attributed as the builder of all the churches at the site.<\/p>\n

Lalibela\u2019s 11 churches are carved out of a hillside, which is made of soft reddish volcanic rock. The churches can be divided into two complexes\u2014a northern and a southeastern complex\u2014that are connected through a series of carved passageways and naturally occurring wadis. Six churches are featured in the northern complex and four in the southeastern complex. The 11th church\u2014Beta Giyorgis (Church of St. George)\u2014stands alone and is not part of either interconnecting complex.<\/p>\n

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FREE ebook: Paul: Jewish Law and Early Christianity<\/strong>. Paul\u2019s dual roles as a Christian missionary and a Pharisee.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t