Lalibela Churches: The 11 Oldest Churches In The World

Ethiopia is the African country with the longest history of Christian worship and some of the oldest churches in the world are the Lalibela churches which date back to as early as the 7th Century.

History and Mysterious Facts About The Lalibela Churches

Lalibela is one of Ethiopia’s holiest places, dating back to the 12th century. Lalibela town, formerly known as Roha and was named after one of Ethiopian ruler, King Lalibela who lived between 1181 and 1221, a member of the Zagwe dynasty.

Lalibela is known by the amazing eleven (11) churches hewn from solid rock. Built in the 12th century, they are still standing in excellent condition. Most consider them as the eighth wonder of the world, and is one of the world heritage sites protected by UNESCO.

The famous Lalibela churches carved out from the rock on which they stand. Some lie almost completely hidden in deep trenches, while others stand in open quarried caves. A complex and amazing labyrinth of tunnels and narrow passage ways connects them all.

They are best explored during during the colourful Ethiopian christian holidays the Genna which is Ethiopian Christmas celebrated on January 7th and Timkat, Epiphany observe on January 19th.

Who built Lalibela?

Gebre Mesquel Lalibela was a medieval Ethiopian whose majestic name Gebre Mesquel meant “Servant of the Cross”, whereas the meaning of his own name literally means “the bees recognize his sovereignty”. This is based on a mythical telling of his birth when a swarm of bees surrounded him as a newborn. The city of Lalibela was originally called Roha but was renamed to honor the previous Emperor.

Gebre Mesquel Lalibela, King of Ethiopia, who ruled the land around the 12th and 13th centuries was the impetus behind the project and was inspired to create this site as New Jerusalem which was in response to the Muslim conquests of Saladin in the Levant, which had prevented pilgrimages at that time in history.

History has it that one of the church buildings was done overnight by the assistance of angels making the sacredness of the temple.

Why were the churches of Lalibela built?

Around the 1187 BC, the area of Ethiopia was falling into Islamic conquest. King Lalibela built these churches around Ethiopia’s own stretch of the Jordan River with the intent of welcoming all Christians to a ‘New Jerusalem’ the holy and sacred place of worship in Ethiopia to halt the Islamic forces, hence the building of the Lalibela churches.

Why are Lalibela churches underground?

Though it has become a norm and misconception that one has to build a high tower to reach the heavens after the introduction of the doctrines from Rome under Constantinople which is still modern times applicable but the case is different from the Land of Ethiopia.

They did the opposite by building underground tunnels and carvings as their place of worship. Once they are able move from human interference, they are able to connect with their creator.

What are the 11 churches of Lalibela names?

With the impact of the large number of Christians in Ethiopia and the entire region of Lalibela, the population in the region of the country overwhelmingly identifying the site as Ethiopian Orthodox Christian attraction.

Consequently, the site holds its blessed status nevertheless remaining parts profoundly famous with tourists and travelers in Africa and the world over exploring their old churches.

The churches take inspiration from many Christian symbols such as the 12 apostles, the many saints of the faith and the Virgin Mary. Inside Lalibela’s churches, recreations of famous religious artifacts such as the tomb of Adam and the tomb of Jesus can be found.

The historic rock-carved churches have at times in history even substituted for holy sites like Jerusalem and Bethlehem for pilgrims, when travel to the holy land was restricted.

The Lalibela churches are believed to be the site where the Ark of Covenant is located and also the throne of David. The 11 Lalibela churches are grouped into two churches which comprised of the the churches on the North of the Jordan River and the churches also at the South of Jordan. All the 11 churches in Lalibela are as follows:

1. Biete Medhani Alem (House of the Saviour of the World)

Biete Medhane Alem is one of the eleven medieval monolithic rock-cut cave Orthodox churches, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the 13th century. It is an underground monolith rock-cut church located in Lalibela town of Ethiopia.

Biete Medhane Alem, which means House of the Saviour of the World, lies to the north of the Jordan River, with its five aisles, is believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world. This church is home to the Lalibela Cross.

2. Biete Mariam (House of Mary)

Biete Maryam is a monolithic rock-cut Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Lalibela, Ethiopia. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Lalibela.

It is believed to be built during the reign of the Zagwe dynasty ruler Gebre Mesqel Lalibela around the 7th to the 13th century between the Kingdom of Axum and the Solomonic dynasty and Ethiopian Empire.

Biete Maryam is small yet popular and beautifully decorated with artworks, frescoes and mind boggling carvings on the walls and roofs. The church is committed to the honor of the Virgin Mary, who is highly regarded in Ethiopia.

3. Biete Maskal (House of the Cross)

Biete Meskel (House of the Cross) is an Orthodox underground monolith church among the Lalibla churches. It is carved into rock with edifice built during the Kingdom of Axum. It is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site at Lalibela serving as tourist attraction to tourists.

4. Biete Denagel (House of Virgins)

The Biete Denagel (The house of the Virgins) is a stone carved church among the Lalibela churches. The frontage is positioned to the north wall of Bet Maryam.

Biete Denagel church has no windows, it is roughly shaped by cutting and it is the monumental among the other 11 Lalibela churches.

5. Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael)

Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael) is a long channel to the southern end yard of the House of Mary. It is known as the twin churches which have the pillars carved interestingly in the form or shape of a cross.

Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha contains the best early Ethiopian Christians arts for instance the walls positioned with carvings of life-sized depictions of the 12 Apostles.

Out of the 12 carvings in the walls, four of them are visible and the other eight behind the curtain where we have sacred sanctuary of the Selassie chapel and also the well-respected tomb of the King of Lalibela.

An interesting fact discovered with the Biete Golgotha Mikael is that women are not allowed entry.

6. Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel)

Biete Amanuel is an underground Orthodox monolith rock-cut church among the Lalibela churches in Ethiopia. This church which was the former royal chapel was built during the Kingdom of Axum.

It is also among the hewn churches of Lalibela which is protected under the UNESCO heritage sites and a great tourist attraction to travelers and tourists visiting Ethiopia.

7. Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos)

Biete Qeddus Mercoreus is also called the House of St. Mark, is an underground Orthodox rock-cut monolith church located in Lalibela, Ethiopia. It was built during the Kingdom of Axum. It is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site at Lalibela. Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos) may be a former prison because of the discovery of an ankle shackles found there.

8. Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos)

Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos), another Lalibela’s oldest church in the world is an underground rock-cut monolith Orthodox Church. It was built during the Kingdom of Axum. The building has been cut out of volcanic tuff which sits inside a steep cliff face in the city of Lalibela.

It is part of tourist attractions in Ethiopia protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Lalibela.

9. Biete Gabriel Raphael (House of Gabriel Raphael)

Biete Gabriel Rafael is one of eleven rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia.

Biete Gabriel-Rufael which in other words called the House of Gabriel and Raphael or the House Of The Archangels, has some lovely unusual little windows at the corners with little pointed design from Aksumite.

It is also under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage and contributor to the sector of tourism in Ethiopia.

10. Biete Lehem (House of Holy Bread)

Biete Lehem is an underground monolith church carved into rock in Lalibela. It was among the Lalibela churches built during the Kingdom of Axum. It is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site serving the purpose of tourism in Ethiopia and the name ‘’Biete Lehem’’ coming from Bethlehem Hebrew word meaning House of Holy Bread.

It is one of the smallest churches in Lalibela and has a dark and narrow tunnel that connects to Biete Qeddus Mercoreus, another church from the eleven (11) Lalibela churches.

11. Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George)

This Church of Saint George was carved downwards from a type of volcanic tuff. This is the sole architectural material that was used in the structure.

It is among the best known and last built of the eleven churches in the Lalibela area and referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Bete Giyorgis was built after King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty had a vision in which he was instructed to construct the church; Saint George and God have both been referred to as the one who gave him the instructions.

It was originally named Roha which means Warwar and later to Bete Giyorgis in other words the House of George.

On first approach the site appears wholly inaccessible, with sheer drops on every side and no access bridge. It is accessed via a very narrow man-made canyon, spiraling downwards, which changes to a tunnel close to the church, to further conceal its presence.

The hollowed interior contains a simple shrine to St. George and behind a curtain lies a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant can only be viewed by the Priest of the church.