October 7th 2015 – Lalibela, Ethiopia – Monolithic Churches

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October 7th, 2015
Lalibela, Ethiopia
Hi =),
After a day and half in Lalibela, I finally got to the famous Monolithic Churches of Lalibela!
They were built in the 13th century. Well built is the wrong word, they were curved in the stone what makes you think they had to think of every detail in advance.
Atzva walk around, and lowered the excitement: “It is Scoria, it is not hard to dig in it. I was impressed if it was Basalt“.
It is still impressive to see those building stands for so long.

As I said, It is only my second day in Lalibela. But that is enough to understand that I been ripped off.
I know… I am a tourist. They take more money from you. But come on – some proportions. While the locals are paying only 2 Birr to enter the Churches, I have to pay 1000 Birr! (50$).
Well you say: “they live there and pray”, that make sense. You might be right, but if I pay that much – can at least I get a map?!
Those how things work around here: There is the local (Abasha) price and there is the price for foreigners (Faranji).
And they saying it to you in your face, and giving you a different menu in restaurants, writing it on the boards…
Well I guess that if we can afford ourselves to come here – we can finance them =P

Take Care
Gad

Yep, if you are a foreigner - you'll pay moreYep, if you are a foreigner – you’ll pay more

Working in the streets of Lalibela, paving them with stones and casting concrete trenchesWorking in the streets of Lalibela, paving them with stones and casting concrete trenchesWorking in the streets of Lalibela, paving them with stones and casting concrete trenchesWorking in the streets of Lalibela, paving them with stones and casting concrete trenches

Working in the streets of Lalibela, paving them with stones and casting concrete trenches. Don’t be confused the Loader is for the kids to play, the woman are moving the material when needed.

First group of Churches – The Northern Group

don't know about the Churches, but the 3D lattice roof over them already make me smile =). - Monolithic ChurchesI don’t know about the Churches, but the 3D lattice roof over them already make me smile =).

The view behind the church - Monolithic ChurchesThe view behind the church

Wow! well the Churches also makes me smile =D - Monolithic ChurchesWow! well the Churches also makes me smile =D

The first, and biggest church – Biete Medhane Alem (House of the Saviour of the World). They also have a water tank to harvest water rain – just like Atzva done in the village =)

The gate between Biete Medhane Alem church and Biete Maryam (house of maryam) church. - Monolithic ChurchesThe gate between Biete Medhane Alem church and Biete Maryam (house of maryam) church.

Biete Maryam church - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Maryam church - Monolithic Churches

Biete Maryam church

A bird outside the church - Monolithic ChurchesA bird outside the church

The entrance to Biete Meskel (house of cross) church - Monolithic ChurchesThe entrance to Biete Meskel (house of cross) church

Biete Denagel church

Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of skull) church

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Outside Biete Golgotha Mikael church

Bet Uraiel and Adam tomb inside. outside Biete Golgotha Mikael church - Monolithic Churches Bet Uraiel and Adam tomb inside. outside Biete Golgotha Mikael church - Monolithic Churches Bet Uraiel and Adam tomb inside. outside Biete Golgotha Mikael church - Monolithic Churches Bet Uraiel and Adam tomb inside. outside Biete Golgotha Mikael church - Monolithic ChurchesBet Uraiel and Adam tomb inside.
outside Biete Golgotha Mikael church

A Crypt outside the Biete Golgotha Mikael church - Monolithic Churches A Crypt outside the Biete Golgotha Mikael church - Monolithic ChurchesA Crypt outside the Biete Golgotha Mikael church
And the monk holding the cross (Only after I understood he took it out for me to kiss it =D)

All of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels - Monolithic Churches All of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels - Monolithic Churches All of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels - Monolithic Churches All of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels - Monolithic Churches All of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels - Monolithic Churches All of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels - Monolithic ChurchesAll of the Churches are surrounded with deep tunnels, Gates and underground tunnels

Those are the living cells of the Ethiopian monks - Monolithic Churches Those are the living cells of the Ethiopian monks - Monolithic Churches Those are the living cells of the Ethiopian monks - Monolithic Churches Those are the living cells of the Ethiopian monks - Monolithic Churches Those are the living cells of the Ethiopian monks - Monolithic ChurchesThose are the living cells of the Ethiopian monks

The "expensive" houses of the monks - Monolithic ChurchesThe “expensive” houses of the monks

A close-up on the rock (Scoria) and the Mica mineral inside it - Monolithic Churches A close-up on the rock (Scoria) and the Mica mineral inside it - Monolithic ChurchesA close-up on the rock (Scoria) and the Mica mineral inside it

The 3D lattice that covers the Churches. - Monolithic ChurchesThe 3D lattice that covers the Churches.

The supports of the 3D lattice that covers the Churches. - Monolithic Churches The supports of the 3D lattice that covers the Churches. - Monolithic ChurchesThe supports of the 3D lattice that covers the Churches.
I haven’t quite understand why some supports has more metal plates and some less.

The exit from the Western group - Monolithic ChurchesThe exit from the Western group

A  Loom. - Monolithic ChurchesLoom.

Second group of Churches – The The Western Group

The famous Biete Giyorgis church - Monolithic Churches The famous Biete Giyorgis church - Monolithic ChurchesThe famous Biete Giyorgis church

Just a lizard in the sun =) - Monolithic ChurchesJust a lizard in the sun =)

 Going down to the church - Monolithic Churches Going down to the church - Monolithic ChurchesGoing down to the church

Behold! - the church =) - Monolithic ChurchesBehold! – the church =)

Around the church - Monolithic Churches Around the church - Monolithic Churches Around the church - Monolithic ChurchesAround the church

Mummified buddies of pilgrims that asked to be buried near the church - Monolithic ChurchesMummified buddies of pilgrims that asked to be buried near the church

Those considered to be the footprints of the horse of Saint George that ordered the King of Lalibela to built that church. - Monolithic ChurchesThose considered to be the footprints of the horse of Saint George that ordered the King of Lalibela to built that church.

Inside the church - Monolithic Churches Inside the church - Monolithic Churches Inside the church - Monolithic ChurchesInside the church

Around the village

Traditional two-story stone housesTraditional two-story stone houses Traditional two-story stone houses

The market of Lalibela (Works only on Saturdays)The market of Lalibela (Works only on Saturdays)

Injera for 3 (the other Injeras are rolled on the side of the dish)Injera for 3 (the other Injeras are rolled on the side of the dish)

Third group of Churches – The The Eastern Group

Biete Gabriel-Rufael church (House of the angels Gabriel, and Raphael) - under renovation - Monolithic Churches Biete Gabriel-Rufael church (House of the angels Gabriel, and Raphael) - under renovation - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Gabriel-Rufael church (House of the angels Gabriel, and Raphael) – under renovation

The mountain above Lalibela - Monolithic ChurchesThe mountain above Lalibela

Biete Abba Libanos Church (House of Abbot Libanos) - Monolithic Churches Biete Abba Libanos Church (House of Abbot Libanos) - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Abba Libanos Church (House of Abbot Libanos)

The church from inside, and from the inner yard - Monolithic Churches The church from inside, and from the inner yard - Monolithic ChurchesThe church from inside, and from the inner yard

The tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic Churches The tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic Churches The tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic Churches The tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic Churches The tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic Churches The tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic ChurchesThe tunnels between Biete Abba Libanos Church and Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel)

 Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) - Monolithic Churches Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel)

Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from inside - Monolithic Churches Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from inside - Monolithic Churches Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from inside - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from inside

Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from the inner court - Monolithic Churches Biete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from the inner court - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Amanuel Church (House of Emmanuel) from the inner court

A monk standing in the door of Biete Amanuel Church - Monolithic ChurchesA monk standing in the door of Biete Amanuel Church

The "secret" second way to Eastern groupThe “secret” second way to Eastern group

The tunnel leading to Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church and a church on the side - Monolithic Churches The tunnel leading to Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church and a church on the side - Monolithic Churches The tunnel leading to Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church and a church on the side - Monolithic ChurchesThe tunnel leading to Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church and a church on the side

Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church - Monolithic Churches Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Qeddus Mercoreus church

Biete Qeddus Mercoreus church from inside - Monolithic ChurchesBiete Qeddus Mercoreus church from inside

The 3D lattice roofs over the Eastern group of the Churches - Monolithic ChurchesThe 3D lattice roofs over the Eastern group of the Churches

I have the feeling that those supports doesn't work - Monolithic ChurchesI have the feeling that those supports doesn’t work

ABC (Another Bloody Church) - I really don't know which is it, and I  don't have knowledge on it. - Monolithic Churches ABC (Another Bloody Church) - I really don't know which is it, and I  don't have knowledge on it. - Monolithic ChurchesABC (Another Bloody Church) – I really don’t know which is it, and I  don’t have knowledge on it.

The Tunnels that leads to Eastern group - Monolithic Churches The Tunnels that leads to Eastern group - Monolithic ChurchesThe Tunnels that leads to Eastern group – Monolithic Churches

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Lalibela, Ethiopia

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Lalibela, Ethiopia 12.031667, 39.041111