Ethiopia Top Attraction Lalibela

Lalibela ©Solange Hando

Lalibela? But where is the town?.. in the middle of nowhere, a fairly long drive from the namesake airport, up steep winding hills through rugged scenery with a few clusters of trees hiding the all important water. 

But eventually you reach a bustling settlement, houses climbing up the slopes with spectacular views all round.

St George's Carved out of the Rock ©Solange Hando

Top attraction and listed by UNESCO are the rock-hewn churches, 13 of them dating back to medieval times. The first one was designed by King Lalibela,  carved from the rock underground to protect it from natural disasters and possible invasions.

Traditional Interior, Orthodox Church Lalibela ©Solange Hando

Lalibela was designed as a new Jerusalem, a haven for pilgrims who still come from far and wide to do their devotions. Beautifully decorated with paintings and drapes, each church is different, accessed via steep steps, underground passages and tunnels.

Priests are around all day and as elsewhere in this highly religious country, you can expect the Orthodox call to prayer at first light every day.

View from my Hotel in Lalibela ©Solange Hando

But there's more to Lalibela than churches. Once you're up there, expect spectacular views all round and always changing, from the deserted side just beyond town to tiny road and lane meandering up from the airport towards panoramic hotels draped in greenery and tropical flowers.

Coffee Time? ©Solange Hando

For neighbours, family and friends, traders or visitors, coffee is an essential part of life, prepared according to rituals in a special ceremony which can take 30 minutes or more.

This is the delicious coffee arabica, first grown in Ethiopia, and they say any problem can be solved over a cup of coffee.

Traditional Huts ©Solange Hando

Wander around and you find a few traditional huts, restored for show, an amazing hilltop restaurant managed by a Scottish lady and a week-end market downtown where you can bargain for anything, including goats.

Sunset from Panoramic Hotel ©Solange Hando