Lalibela

Lalibela is located in a mountain region in the northern part of Ethiopia about 2500 meters above sea level. The city has about 20,000 inhabitants and is famous for its monolithic rock-cut churches carved into red basalt (s. photo left). The city was named after Emperor Lalibela on whose behalf the 11 churches were built in the 12th & 13th century. The rock-cut churches are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are considered one of the most important religious sites of the Ethiopian Church.