Visit Eastern Africa and enjoy the pleasures of being in the most beautiful surroundings in this continent. Some of the best highlands and the most beautiful coastal regions are here in Ethiopia. Lalibela in Ethiopia is one such interesting destination, which is a holy city of the 12th century. Today visitors go here to feel the grandeur of the specially built churches made out of solid rock.
A major pilgrim spot with 13 churches, tourists coming here enjoy the ambience and get intrigued by the sight of the priests wearing impressive robes in vibrant colours. One of the holiest towns in Ethiopia, Lalibela was actually constructed to be the New Jerusalem. A rural town, this is world famous for its monolithic churches built while the King of Ethiopia reigned here. These churches were declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1978. The churches are grouped into Northern, Western, and Eastern Africa. The Northern Group has the Bete Medhane Alem, which is said to be the largest monolithic church in the world. The Western Group has Bete Giyorgis, which is said to be the best church, and the most well preserved. The Eastern Group has the Bete Amanuel, which is linked to a holy bakery. There are many more churches in these groups all of which are popular across the world.
Well trained guides take you around the fascinating region and give you a good know how about the entire place. Churches are open from nine in the morning to one in the afternoon. Also see the Yimrehane Kristtos church and the Ashetan Maryam, which are possibly built in the eleventh century. All the churches here have been produced entirely by the interesting Ethiopian civilization.
While here, go to the weekly market, and see the invaluable local life and the weaving arts. The donkey park is also worth visiting in tours here.
Lalibela is a special religious destination, which should not be missed in tours to Ethiopia.
