Bete Golgota-Selassié, Rock-hewn church in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
Bete Golgota-Selassié is a church carved directly into rock, featuring intricate stone work distributed across multiple chambers and sections. An interconnected system of tunnels and passages links these different areas throughout the structure.
The church was built in the 13th century under King Gebre Meskel Lalibela as part of a large-scale building project. This ambitious undertaking aimed to create an Ethiopian Jerusalem within the region.
The church serves as a gathering place where Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers continue practices that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. You can sense how integral this space remains to the spiritual identity of the local community today.
Visitors must remove their shoes before entering, as this is a sacred space. Local guides are available and can help explain the architectural details and religious symbols found throughout.
Inside the church you will find replicated burial sites, including representations of Christ's tomb and Adam's tomb. These copies allow pilgrims to visit these sacred locations without traveling beyond the African continent.
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