Even
close-up it seems wholly unremarkable. However,
it is this camouflaged, chameleon quality that
gives the remote settlement its special and lasting
place in the life of the highlands - some 800
years ago, safe from the prying eyes and plundering
hands of hostile interlopers, a noble king fashioned
a secret marvel.
Lalibela, previously known as Roha, is named after
king Lalibela himself at the end of 12th century.
Lalibela is considered to be a New Jerusalem as
a pilgrimage to the real Jerusalem wasn't possible.
The Lalibela churches, however, silence the most
cynical pedants.
These towering edifices were hewn out of the solid,
red volcanic tuff on which they stand. In consequence,
they seem to be of superhuman creation - in scale,
in workmanship and in architectural concept.
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