Ethiopia’s “New Jerusalem”—subterranean rock-hewn churches in Lalibela

In the 12th century, King Lalibela of Ethipia sought to create a new Jerusalem, since Muslim conquests had made pilgrimages to the Holy land extremely dangerous and difficult. He order the construction of 11 churches that were hewn from and into the existing bedrock as monolithic structures. This travel writer visited a religious celebration at this World Heritage site as part of a friend’s birthday celebration.

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That’s what I call a birthday party! An unusual celebration featuring Ethiopia’s stunning churches and a dazzling religious festival

By Elinor Goodman

Daily Mail UK

August 6, 2016