Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dates from the 16th century. Formerly, such paintings were plastered to the church walls
with a mixture of straw, ox blood and mud.
CHURCH
Bet Amanuel
Freestanding and monolithic, Bet Amanuel is Lalibela's most finely carved church. Some
have suggested it was the royal family's private chapel. It perfectly replicates the style of
Aksumite buildings, with its projecting and recessed walls mimicking alternating layers of
wood and stone seen at places like Yemrehanna Kristos and Debre Damo.
The most striking feature of the interior is the double Aksumite frieze atop the nave.
Although not accessible, there's a staircase to an upper gallery. In the southwest corner, a
hole in the floor leads to a subterranean tunnel that connects the church to Bet Merkorios.
The chambers in the walls are the graves of pilgrims who requested to be buried here.
Bet Abba Libanos
Bet Abba Libanos is hewn into a rock face and is unique among Lalibela's churches in
that it's a hypogeous church. In English, that means only the roof and floor remain at-
tached to the strata. Like Bet Amanuel, many of its architectural features, such as the
friezes, are Aksumite. Curiously, although it looks large from the outside, the interior is
actually very small. The carved corners of its cubic capitals are unique; some guides say
they may represent angel eyes. Legend says it was constructed in a single night by Lali-
bela's wife, Meskel Kebra, with a little help from angels.
CHURCH
Other Sights
Lalibela's
Saturday Market
(
9.30am-4pm)
is quite large.
MUSEUM
Lalibela World Cultural Centre
( 8am-noon & 1.30-5pm)
The new and still mostly empty Lalibela World Cultural
Centre has permanent and sometimes temporary displays about Lalibela's history, both
past and present.
