The amazing 900-year-old churches of Ethiopia's 'New Jerusalem' built into solid rock

•      The 11 churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia were commissioned in the 12th Century when travel to the Hold Land became dangerous

•     Built on stretches of volcanic tuff, workers carved down into the ground to form the churches inside and out

•     In 1978 the churches became a UNESCO World Heritage site

By Ashley Collman
Peter may have built his church upon a rock, but the ruling king in 12th century Ethiopia decided to build his churches into the rocks themselves.

During his reign 900 years ago, King Lalibela commissioned the building of a set of churches to form a 'New Jerusalem.'

All 11 churches are still standing today in a rural Northern Ethiopian town named after the same King.

What's so unique about these structures though is that they were carved into a solid piece of rock. The inside and outside of the churches were built into the ground on stretches of volcanic tuff rock. Workers would start at the top and carve down creating the roof and walls of the church.Then they would hollow it out to create the interior structure.

Out of stone: Bete Giyorgis, one of the 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, Ehtiopia during the celebration of the Epiphany - the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River

The new Holy Land: King Lalibela created the 11 churches as the 'New Jerusalem' - an alternate pilgrimage site to the Holy Land for Coptic Christians

Legendary: One folk tale says that men worked all day to build the churches, and that angels would relieve them at night and get twice as much work done

Protected: In 1978 the churches became a UNESCO World Heritage site, and five years ago protective awnings were set up to slow down corrosion

'They are different because they were built from the top down,' church scholar Alebachev Retta told the Nigerian Tribune. 'Everywhere in the world, structures are built from the ground up. There is nothing comparable in the world.'

The 'New Jerusalem' was created after Muslim conquests made travel to the Holy Land dangerous.

The church structures are in two groups, divided by the Ethiopia's own river Jordan. On the north side of the river stands Biete Medhani Alem  (House of the Saviour of the World), Biete  Mariam (House of Mary), Biete  Maskal (House of the Cross), Biete Denagel (House of Virgins), Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael).

To the south of the river there is Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel), Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos), Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos), Biete Gabriel Raphael (House of Gabriel Raphael), and Biete Lehem (House of Holy Bread).

An eleventh church, Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George), stands apart from the others, but is connected to them by a series of trenches.

Several differing legends explain why King Lalibela was inspired to build the site. One theory was that God came to him with instructions on how to construct the buildings, even such minor details as color choices.

Another legend supposes that he was poisoned by his brother and went into a coma for several days, where he was handed the instructions during his brief stay in heaven.

Other stories say it was the Templar Knights of Europe who made them or that Lalibela traveled to the actual Jerusalem and wanted to recreate it back home.

A particularly interesting story is that men worked on the construction during the day, and at night angels would pick up the slack - getting twice as much work done.

In Ethiopia, where nearly two-thirds of the population is Christian, Lalibela has become almost important as the real Holy Land.

'It is one of the very important places for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church people,' local guide and Lalibela-native Fikru Woldegiorgis told the Nigerian Tribune. 'There is a belief that Lalibela pilgrims share the same blessing as pilgrims to Jerusalem,' he explains. 'They have to come at least once in a lifetime.'

Journey: The churches attract many pilgrims, mostly of the Ethiopian Orthodox church

Houses of God: The churches continue to be used for daily services

Sacred site: Nearly two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christian, making Lalibela a popular tourist site in the country

Origins: One story says that King Lalibela was given extremely detailed instructions by God on how to build the churches, including what colors to use

Alternate history: Other stories claim that Templar Knights from Europe built the churches, or that the king was inspired by his own trip to Jerusalem

Positive: The amount of revenue tourism brings to the Northern Ethiopian town has given many locals steady work

 Even though the town sits 2,800 meters above sea level - the faithful, including those who are blind or have disibilities, will pilgrimage for days on foot up windy mountain roads to get to the site.

'They come early to get the blessing -- because it’s such a big deal, every inch of the place is packed,” Aba Gebreyesus, the priest who presides over all the churches in Lalibela, said. 'People are so happy with the blessings they get here, they come here without any prompting and spend their nights and days at the church.'
In 1978, the structures became a UNESCO World Heritage site. Five years ago, UNESCO erected protective coverings to shield the buildings from the elements and further erosion.

And just as amazing as the fact that these structures are still standing, is that they are still used to hold church services.

'What makes the Lalibela churches important is that they are still in use,” said Woldegiorgis. 'It’s not a museum; it’s a living heritage. Every day, every morning, there is a service in all the churches.'

The churches continue to bring in tourists and pilgrims alike, which has has a positive effect on the town, giving locals steady work.

'Everyone is making a living through the tourism business. It’s great; without the tourists, there is no salary for anyone. If the tourists stopped, everything will stop,' Retta said.
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