Lalibela
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Description
The churches are carved from soft volcanic rock, some cut into the face of a cliff, while others are isolated structures in deeply carved pits with long access passages or trenches. The earliest carved monuments may not have been churches, but in the 10th and 11th centuries AD sophisticated churches of diverse styles were created, with architectural features that scholars believe originated in ancient Aksum, which flourished up to 800 years previously. The finest examples are three-aisle or five-aisle basilicas, carved inside and out, with window openings as well as detailed geometric ornamentation.
King Lalibela oversaw the final extension of the church complex. This may have been to create an Ethiopian place of pilgrimage as an alternative to Jerusalem, which had been captured early in King Lalibela’s reign by the Muslim Salah-ad-Din (known in the West as Saladin). This is reflected in local place names such as the “Church of Golgotha” (now containing the purported tomb of King Lalibela), “Yordanos” (Jordan) for the seasonal river that runs through the complex, and a nearby hill called “Debra Zeit” (meaning Mount of Olives).
The most famous of the churches at Lalibela is “Beta Giyorgis” (The House of Saint George). It is not part of an interconnected complex, but stands on its own on a plinth in a rectangular pit 11 metres deep, with a 30 metre long approach trench. It has blind lower windows, in an Aksumite style, with higher open windows central to each face when viewed from the outside. Apparently the external appearance was more important than internal symmetry or functionality.
Churches at Lalibela:
Beta Abba Libanos
(Church of Abba Libanos) This rectangular church is in the eastern part of the complex, and is carved on all four sides, but is continuous with the rock above it. It is linked to a structure known as Beta Lehem.
Beta Danagel
(Church of the Virgins)This church is carved into the south wall of the courtyard of Beta Maryam. It is the most roughly hewn of the Lalibela churches.
Beta Emmanuel
(Church of Saint Emmanuel)This church is in the eastern part of the complex. It is linked to the courtyard of Beta Mekurios by a 35 metre long tunnel and has the most intricate external ornamentation.
Beta Gabriel and Rafael
(Church of Saints Gabriel and Raphael) This church is in the eastern part of the complex, and has a courtyard extending its north and south walls.
Beta Giyorgis
(Church of Saint George)
This famous church stands alone in the southwest. Dating to the early 13th century AD, it is the most recently built of the Lalibela churches.
Beta Golgotha
(Church of Golgotha) This church lies 6 metres below the courtyard level of Beta Maryam and is linked to it by tunnels, but is considered to be part of Beta Mikael. It contains larger than life bold-relief figures identified as Saint John, Saint Stephen, Saint George and Saint Kirkos, as well as the purported tomb of King Lalibela.
Beta Medhane Alem
(Church of the World Saviour)
This church is in the northern part of the complex, and is the largest and perhaps the oldest of the Lalibela churches.
Beta Masqal
(Church of the Cross) This is a grotto church, partially carved out of the rock, and whose façade is level with the north wall of the courtyard of Beta Maryam.
Beta Mekurios
(Church of Saint Mercurios) This is a partial grotto church in the eastern part of the complex, with eight roughly hewn pillars in its façade.
Beta Maryam
(Church of Mary)
This rectangular church is the most ornate of the Lalibela churches and is surrounded by a trapezoidal courtyard.
Sellassie Chapel
This is a small, rough, trapezoidal structure in the western part of the complex, related to the Beta Golgotha complex.
Further reading:
Connah, G. 2001. African civilizations, 1st edn 1987. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Chapter 3. The Ethiopian Highlands: 66-107.)
Acknowledgement:
These texts are based primarily on informations on the Aluka website (aluka.org)