@thebeardedbackpacker: The Lalibela churches are a group of 11 medieval rock-hewn churches carved directly into volcanic rock in northern Ethiopia, traditionally associated with King Lalibela in the 12th–13th centuries. Rather than being built upward, many were carved down into the earth, creating churches, trenches, tunnels, and passageways from solid stone. Lalibela was envisioned as a “New Jerusalem,” and the complex remains one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The most iconic is Bete Giyorgis (Church of St. George), carved in the shape of a cross #Ethiopia #ethiopian_tik_tok #Lalibela #AfricaTravel #EthiopiaTravel