Biete Giyorgis [St. George Church] (Lalibela, Amhara Region)
In Ethiopia there are churches made out of rocks. This town Lalibela has eleven churches and other monuments. Although the precise age is unknown, it is presumed that it was made from the latter half of the 12th century to the 13th century.
King Lalibela of the Zaguivan dynasty transited the capital here. Because the way to the sacred place Jerusalem was occupied by Muslims the pilgrimage became difficult. So the king tried to make this place the second Jerusalem, and started the construction of the church.
It was registered as a World Heritage (cultural heritage) in 1978 as "Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela".
Biete Gyorgis is located away from other churches. It is made by digging down the rock, so the roof is at the same height as the ground. The church is shaped like a cross and triple cross is carved on the roof too.
Thie card was made that it can be seen from the front of the building, but in fact the church is in the ground so we can not see it unless look down it from the ground. (The sixth photo was drawed the ground to the fifth photo to show the real landscape.)
