Arts, Culture and Sport
Good Morning Africa from the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Located in the heart of Ethiopia is Lalibela, a town where eleven monolithic rock-hewn churches are. These old Temples are not only the biggest in the world but are also a UNESCO World Heritage site, yet much mystery still surrounds their construction.
Published
7 years agoon
By
Nduta WaweruPreviously known as Roha, Lalibela used to be the Capital of Zague dynasty for over 300 years. It was named Lalibela after King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, who was named so because a swarm of bees is said to have surrounded him at his birth.
According to history, the temples were excavated when ruled King Lalibela Ethiopia at the beginning of the 13th century AD. He was inspired by his trip to Jerusalem and wanted to create a ‘’New Jerusalem’ after Christians were not able to visit the Holy Land because of Muslim conquests.The town has two main groups of churches according to UNESCO: to the north of the river Jordan and to the south of the river. The eleventh church, Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George), is isolated from the others but connected by a system of trenches
Local legends claim that the King was asked to build the churches by an angel. During the day men worked on the building during the day and the angels at night. The workers carved the rock from top to bottom, creating different styles internally and externally. They chiselled out the blocks to create windows, column, floors and roofs.
In 1978, UNESCO inscribed it into the World Heritage Sites list because of its unique artistic achievement, execution, size and boldness of their form. It also acknowledged King Lalibela’s contribution to Ethiopian Christianity.
You may like
Peace agreement pledges transitional justice for Ethiopia
Tigray Truce begins journey to peace
Tigray war: two years on, the AU has failed to broker peace and silence the guns
Tigray has resisted Ethiopia’s far greater military might for two years – here’s why neither side is giving in
Haacaaluu Hundeesaa: sublime Ethiopian singer who inspired Oromo struggle protesters
Truce in Ethiopia opens the door to African mediators