THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF

LALIBELA

March, 2021 Historical Review

 Admas University Collage
Marketing Department
Computer - Individual Assignment
The Rock Hewn church of Lalibela

Prepared by:

Zeray Tmirat …… Id no 80039/12

Submitted to:-

Yewubdar Adane

March, 2021

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THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF LALIBELA

AKCNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all I would like to thank our teacher Ms. Yewubdar Adane, for giving us this
assignment which has helped to understand more about paper writing. Then I would like
to thank my friends for helping and giving me directions. And at the last but not least I
would like to thank Google for all the information that it have given for me.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
AKCNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................................................... 2
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. 4
ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... 5
THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF LALIBELA ............................................................................ 6
The Northern Group ................................................................................................................................. 7
The Western Group ................................................................................................................................. 7
The Eastern Group.................................................................................................................................... 7
CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE, LALIBELA .............................................................................. 9
HIGHLAND MONASTERIES IN LALIBELA ........................................................................... 10
Yemrehanna Krestos ............................................................................................................................. 10
Asheton Maryam..................................................................................................................................... 11
Nakuta La’ab Monastery ..................................................................................................................... 11
APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................... 13
ATTACHMENTS .................................................................................................................. 14
REFERENCE ........................................................................................................................ 15

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THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF LALIBELA

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure1. 1 Lalibela Church ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Figure1. 2 Side View of lalibela church ......................................................................................................................... 7
Figure1. 3 Full shot picture of Llibela church ............................................................................................................ 8
Figure1. 4 Bete Giyorgis ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Figure1. 5 Bete Gioyoris of Lalibela church .............................................................................................................. 10
Figure1. 6 Yemerhane Kerestos Monastry ................................................................................................................ 11
Figure1. 7Asheton Maryam Monastry ........................................................................................................................ 11
Figure1. 8 Nakuta La’ab Monastery ............................................................................................................................ 12

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ABSTRACT
This report presents the historical background employed at the site of Lalibela, This site consists
of a group of rock-cut churches attributed to the sovereign of the same name, King Lalibela,
who is known to have reigned in the late 12th century and in the first third of the 13th century.
Cut out of solid rock, Lalibela is an exceptional archaeological site since most of the traces of
its early phases were eliminated in the process of its transformation. The site thus presents a
significant challenge for historians and archaeologists.

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THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF LALIBELA

THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF LALIBELA

Lalibela is located in the North Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, at roughly 2,500 metres
(8,200 ft) above sea level. It is the main town in Lasta woreda, which was formerly part of
Bugna woreda. The Rock-Hewn Churches were declared a World Heritage site in 1978.

It is famous for rock-cut monolithic churches. The whole of Lalibela is a large and
important site for the antiquity, medieval and post-medieval civilization of Ethiopia.[1] To
Christians, Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Axum, and a center
of pilgrimage.

Roha, capital of the Zagwe

dynasty for about 300 years, was
renamed for its most distinguished
monarch, Lalībela (late 12th–early
13th century), who, according to
tradition, built the 11 monolithic
churches for which the place is
famous. The layout and names of
the major buildings in Lalibela are
widely accepted, especially by local
clergy, to be a symbolic
representation of Jerusalem.
Figure1. 1 Lalibela Church

During the reign of Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, a member of the Zagwe dynasty who ruled
Ethiopia in the late 12th century and early 13th century, the current town of Lalibela was
known as Roha. The saint-king was named because a swarm of bees is said to have
surrounded him at his birth, which his mother took as a sign of his future reign as emperor
of Ethiopia. The names of several places in the modern town and the general layout of the
rock-cut churches themselves are said to mimic names and patterns observed by Lalibela
during the time he spent as a youth in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

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Lalibela, revered as a saint, is said to
have seen Jerusalem, and then
attempted to build a new Jerusalem as
his capital in response to the capture
of old Jerusalem by Muslims in 1187.
Each church was carved from a single
piece of rock to symbolize spirituality
and humility. Christian faith inspires
many features with Biblical names –
even Lalibela's river is known as the
River Jordan. Lalibela remained the
capital of Ethiopia from the late 12th
into the 13th century.
Figure1. 2 Side View of labella church

The eleven churches of Lalibela are congregated in three main groups with one straggler.

The Northern Group :

 Biete Medhane Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), home to the Lalibela Cross. (Here
is the 3D model of Biete Medhane Alem)
 Biete Maryam (House of Miriam/House of Mary), possibly the oldest of the churches, and a
replica of the Tombs of Adam and Christ.[1] (Here is the 3D model of Biete Mariam)
 Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael), known for its arts and said to contain
the tomb of King Lalibela)
 Biete Meskel (House of the Cross)
 Biete Denagel (House of Virgins)

The Western Group :

 Church of Saint George, thought to be the most finely executed and best preserved church
(Here the 3D Model of Saint George)
 The eleventh is Biet Giorgis (House of St. George) sitting in lonely splendor across the
River Jordan. The churches are connected by trenches and tunnels which are pockmarked
with small caves that must have once been used as cells for monks or rooms for pilgrims.

The Eastern Group :

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 Biete Amanuel (House of Immanuel), possibly the former royal chapel. (Here the 3D model
of Biete Amanuel)
 Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of Saint Mercurius/House of Mark the Evangelist), which
may be a former prison
 Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos) (Here the 3D model of Biete Abba Libanos)
 Biete Gabriel-Rufael (House of the angels Gabriel, and Raphael) possibly a former royal
palace, linked to a holy bakery.
 Biete Lehem ("Bethlehem", Hebrew: ‫" בֵּ ית לֶחֶ ם‬House of Bread")

The churches were not constructed in a traditional way but rather were hewn from the
living rock of monolithic blocks. These blocks were further chiselled out, forming doors,
windows, columns, various floors, roofs etc.
They surrounded the churches with an extensive system of drainage ditches and
defensive trenches in a finished work that was a gigantic accomplishment in engineering
and architecture.

This gigantic work was further

completed with an extensive
system of drainage ditches,
trenches and ceremonial passages,
some with openings to hermit
caves and catacombs.
Biete Medhani Alem, with its five
aisles, is believed to be the largest
monolithic church in the world,
while Biete Ghiorgis has a
remarkable cruciform plan.
Figure1. 3 Full shot picture of Llibela church

Most were probably used as churches from the outset, but Biete Mercoreos and Biete
Gabriel Rafael may formerly have been royal residences. Several of the interiors are
decorated with mural paintings.

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CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE, LALIBELA
The last of the eleven rock-hewn
churches to be built in Lalibela, the Church
of Saint George, known locally as Bete
Giyorgis, was built by King Gebre Mesqel
Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty and remains
a site of huge cultural and religious
significance.

According to popular mythology, the king

had an apparition in which one of God’s
angels told him of plans for a building
which could bring heaven down to Earth.
Figure1. 4 Bete Giyorgis

Inspired by his vision, the king commissioned the project to build the Church of Saint
George. The mythology continues, insisting that upon its completion the same angels
visited the site, and blessed all those who were present.

It is said that the hoof-prints of the white stallion that St George rode on the day the church
was completed can still be found imprinted in the rocks surrounding the church

Built on a cruciform plan, the sole material used in its construction was the volcanic rock
found already on site.
The church has three west facing doorways, and a series of windows. Each layer of the
building have distinct motifs, leading to the roof which is covered in intersecting crosses
that lie within a bigger Greek cross.
The walls of the church reach a staggering 30 metres, and over 3,400 metres cubed of rock
was excavated from the site in order to shape the exterior of the monolith. From here, a
further 450 metres cubed was removed in order to facilitate the lavish interior.
The entrance to the church is accessible via a network of sunken trenches and tunnels that
lead to a series of adjoining churches, sanctuaries and baptismal courtyards.
Amongst the labyrinth of sanctuaries lies a number of tombs, housing former monks and
priests who dedicated themselves to the church and to ensuring its longevity.

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The church also houses an array of hidden treasures, only accessible to a few high ranking
members of the priesthood. Amongst these treasures is a wooden box apparently carved by
the king himself.

On entry, you'll be struck by the brightly colored frescoes depicting the trials and
tribulations of St George, circled by interweaving blue, gold and red patterns.
Spread across the room, these paintings
lead all who visit through a spiritual
rabbit hole, full of painted prophetic
predictions based on the dream King
Lalibela had all those years ago.
Now officially recognized as the eighth
wonder of the world, the Church of St
George is a mesmerizing display of
commitment to faith, and represents
the beating heart of spiritual Ethiopia.

Figure1. 5 Bete Gioyoris of Lalibela church

HIGHLAND MONASTERIES IN LALIBELA

Head up into the mountains surrounding Lalibela there are churches and monasteries that pre-date
those in the centre of town.

Yemrehanna Krestos
Close to the small town of Bilbilla, 30km from Lalibela, there is a small cluster of churches built
into the cliff-face. Yemrehanna Krestos is the most impressive of the bunch.

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Yemrehenna Krestos, built from layers of
wood and granite laced with gypsum - it
is a remarkable example of Axumite
architecture.

The bones of 10,740 pilgrims rest here, a

shock to each visitor, but nothing out of
the ordinary for the locals who worship
here.

Figure1. 6 Yemerhane Kerestos Monastry

Asheton Maryam
The monastery of Asheton
Maryam is carved out of a cleft in
the cliff face on the western slopes
of Mount Abuna Yoseph.

Thought to have been founded by

King Nakuta La’ab, the
construction is relatively rough
compared to the churches in town,
but there are some interesting wall
paintings and relics to be seen.

Figure1. 7Asheton Maryam Monastry

Nakuta La’ab Monastery

Named after Lalibela’s nephew, Na’akuto La’ab Monastery is located just 7km from
Lalibela. It is a relatively simple church built around a cave which in turn holds several
spring-fed holy pools.

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Treasures, including paintings, crosses and illuminated bibles are available to see, the latter
reputedly owned by Nakuta La’ab.

Figure1. 8 Nakuta La’ab Monastery

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APPENDIX

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THE ROCK HEWN CHURCH OF LALIBELA

ATTACHMENTS

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REFERENCE

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