Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bet Uraiel
In the trench fronting the western facade of Bet Golgotha, past the symbolic Tomb of
Adam (a giant, hollowed-out block of stone), Bet Uraiel opened as a church in 1998 in
what may have been a storeroom. Its rough-hewn rooms are rarely visited by worshippers
or tourists.
CHURCH
SOUTHEASTERN GROUP OF CHURCHES
Although smaller in size than the northwestern group, the southeastern cluster offers Lali-
bela's most finely carved exteriors.
Bet Gabriel-Rufael
Its entrance flanked to the west by a sloping sliver of hewn rock known as the 'Way to
Heaven', this imposing twin-church marks the main entrance to the southeastern group.
Unlike most Lalibela churches its entrance is at the top and it's accessed by a small walk-
way, high over the moat-like trench below. This, along with its curious, irregular floor
plan and non-east-west orientation, has led scholars to propose that Bet Gabriel-Rufael
may have been a fortified palace for Aksumite royalty as early as the 7th century.
The entrance takes you into Bet Gabriel and then another doorway accesses Bet Rufael.
Although the section of Bet Rufael's roof that collapsed has been rebuilt, services only
take place in Bet Gabriel. Once inside the surprisingly small complex you'll realise its
monumental facade was its most interesting feature.
CHURCH
Bet Merkorios
Reached via a series of trenches and tunnels (one is long, narrow and pitch-black) that
starts from Bet Gabriel- Rufael, this church may have started as something altogether dif-
ferent. The discovery of ankle shackles among other objects has led scholars to believe it
may have served as the town's prison, or house of justice.
Due to a large section of it collapsing, the interior is a fraction of its former size and the
brick walls are an unfortunate necessity. Don't miss the beautiful fresco (maybe 15th cen-
tury) sometimes said to represent the Three Wise Men; but since they're holding crosses,
this can't be correct. With their little flipper hands and eyes that look askance, they're de-
lightful. The 12 Apostles are represented below in a less attractive and probably later
fresco. The Passion of the Christ painting on cotton fabric next to the frescoes probably
CHURCH
