MYSTICAL PLACES - ETHIOPIA

The legend says that Lalibela was built with the help of angels around the 12th century. It is a complex of 11 monolithic churches, which were each hewn out of a single block of stone. Assembled in 3 groups they were all interconnected through a network of tunnels.

Still today, Lalibela is the religious heart of the country. These orthodox churches were guarded by colourfully dressed priests. Believe it or not, but under their severe eyes we had to take off our shoes so that no earthly dust would enter the church. We were very privileged to touch an 800 years old bible. In most parts of the world one would only be able to see this type of treasure through armoured glass. Here, the priests continue to use them on a daily basis.



At Bet Maryam or the house of Maria we saw women praying to fall pregnant. Everywhere believers embraced the walls, the doors and even the earth around the church. There were so many people praying that service was conducted outside the church. Monks lived like ascetics in tiny holes in the rock.