Amazing Place Have you ever thought about a giant building created from a single rock? In this world there are such an admirable exotic and unbelievable unique places to visit. The world is covered by mountains, caves, and rivers. Because we all know that, I have an amazing experience that can help to answer my question that is an historical church found in Ethiopia and called “Lalibela.”
It is a place I visited seven years ago for an annual religious celebration. Lalibela state is located in northern Ethiopia is a town by the same name. The church was built in the 12th century by king Lalibela. He had created this
Church from a single rock as a result of an inspiration to create a New Jerusalem in his country after the old Jerusalem has been captured by Muslims in 11th century. King created this church from single rock and he used an amazing engendering that last long for generation. This church is externally lines up of 11 churches linked one another. I was so amazed when I see it for the first time because that shows how people at that century were more civilized than they are today.
It is hard to believe for today’s scantest and researcher because that kind of huge church can’t be made without today’s technology. But there are facts that contradict with those who believe technology has made a big role to build that church because according to Ethiopian history there was not any chance to use any kind of technology support by the time. For this reason many researchers have different opinions about the ways this church has been created. According to what the priest who spent his entire life there told me during my visit, this church has been made with the order God. As the Priest explained, God sent the angel Gebriel to take King Lalibela to Jerusalem and lalibela has been taken to Jerusalem.
After that God told to Lalibela, “I want you to build my church in your country.” Lalibela accepted the message and accomplished what he has been told with the help of God. But there are so many controversies about how and when this church had been made. According to David Phillipson, professor of African archeology at Cambridge University, some parts of the church were initially craved out of the rock half a millennium earlier than 12th century. It was associated with Lalibelas name after the king’s death. Some people believe that the church was not created by Lalibela but, with the help of some foreigners. Because there are a clear signs of Coptic influence in some of the decorative detail. Others believe differently writer Graham Hanconk wrote that this church was built without outside help that it had been built entirely within Ethiopian civilization. The reality is no other church like lalibela has been found but, there are some other churches similar to Lalibela around that area. I had no idea before I visited lalibela church and I was so judgmental about the whole story of the church like others who wrote different story about it. After I see it and visited all parts of the church, I was so amazed. The ceremony was so beautiful there were thousands of people for the celebration. The whole picture in the church is so amazing and the whole material found inside it is so unique it is very hard to find outside that church. I am so blessed to visit that church and I encourage everyone to visit this place because it is really amazing and it shows how people were civilized in 12th century. Even it has a great positive impact for the country because Lalibela church is a major source of income for the Ethiopian economy. Each year in April, thousands of tourists arrive at Lalibela to witness the church’s annual celebration. Since the church is outside of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, which the city natives don’t speak English, majority of tourists take tour guides with them. Most tour guides in Ethiopia are trained by the government therefore; the income automatically goes for the government. Once they get to the city where the church is located, the tourists spend money on hotels and other expenses that benefit the country.
Traveller info
When to go: Just after the rains in October is an especially good time to visit, when the country is vividly verdant and carpeted with wildflowers. Try to coincide your trip with one of the key festivals like Timkat in late January, but be aware that you’ll need to book early to secure accommodation and flights at these busy times. http://www.petersommer.com/travel-writing/lalibela-churches-ethiopia/ For more information about this church see: www.ethiopiantreasures.co , www.youtube.com and www.wikipidea.org.

Source : http://www.google.com/search?q=lalibela+pictures&hl=en&rlz=1W1TSNJ_enUS451&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qycjUOGOOLSw0QHFxIGQAg&ved=0CDwQsAQ&biw=1140&bih=492