Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Churches Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

They are actually found on the top of several mountains near the town of Lalibela, in the northwest of Ethiopia. There are two basic types of church, both formed following an original step of digging down into the rock. The seven cave churches are found excavated from the walls of the hole, while the four monolithic churches are formed by digging a trench that surrounds a central block of stone from which the church is cut. There are also a number of hermit cells and connecting tunnels between the main buildings.

Answer: Jordan

There are two main groups of churches. On the northwest side of the river Jordan (labelled on the may as Yordannos, transliterating the Arabic name) are Biete Medhani Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), Biete Mariam (House of Mary), Biete Maskal (House of the Cross), Biete Denagel (House of Virgins) and Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael). Southeast of the river is the cluster of Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel), Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos), Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos), Biete Gabriel Raphael (House of Gabriel Raphael) and Biete Lehem (House of Holy Bread).

The eleventh church, Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George), is on its own, across the river west of the southern group.

Answer: Either of these, depending on the legend

The history of their construction is lost in the mists of time, but one widely accepted story says that the construction of this holy project was assisted by Saint Gabriel and a host of angels, so that this astounding architectural project was finished in 25 years, using only hammers and chisels to cut the rock. Another version, preferred by the locals, is that it was Lalibela himself who carved them in a single night, again with heavenly intervention. It is considered more likely that excavations had been undertaken for centuries, with some of the buildings appearing to have had prior use as dwellings and possibly prisons. The development of them as churches could well have been accomplished in the time frame of legend.

The image is Biete Gabriel Raphael, named in honour of those two saints.

Answer: True

All of the churches, including the distant Biete Ghiorgis , are connected by tunnels like the one in the image. Some of them have chambers on the side, similar to those built in the walls of the trenches surrounding the large buildings. These have served as hermit cells, as well as providing a site for the storage of the remains of pilgrims and others who wished to be laid to rest there.

Answer: Jerusalem

The intention can be seen in some of the names: the seasonal river that runs through the site is the Jordan; the name of Biete Golgotha Mikael refers to Golgotha, the site of Jesus' crucifixion; there is a nearby hill called Debra Zeit, which means Mount of Olives - the site just outside the walls of Jerusalem of several important events in Jesus' life, including his ascension.

The reason for this decision is given variously in different sources. Some suggest it was in memory of the many years he spent in exile in Jerusalem (his older brother had issues with a prophecy that he would be king - and he did indeed seize the throne from his brother), others that he had a vision instructing him to establish a local version of the Holy City which had been captured by Saladin in 1187. In any case, he oversaw the final development of the church complex near the town where he had been born, then known as Roha and later renamed in his honour. They quickly became an important pilgrimage site, which has continued to the present.

Answer: Daniel

The Book of Daniel tells the story of Daniel being rescued by God after being thrown into a pit of lions. Similar stories are told of Saint Gebre Menfes Kidus, generally referred to as St. Abbo. Basically, God sent him into the desert several times, the first time to be trained by monks (and practice his miracles).

Then he was sent further into the desert to live with lions and leopards. While there he grew thick whole hair, like fur, over his body and learned to talk to the animals. Stories of his later life regularly include his accompanying beasts, and they are part of his iconography.

Answer: Biete Mariam (House of Mary)

While there are no accurate records of construction, archaeologists consider this to have been one of the first buildings constructed on the site. The trench that turned the central part of the pit into a well-defended site was probably built during the 8th century, while the excavation to produce the church came later, and was probably one of the early projects in developing the complex.

As it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, she features prominently in its interior, including the mural in the image.

Other paintings depict a range of Biblical scenes.

Answer: Lalibela cross

This church is thought to be the largest monolithic church in the world. (If you didn't know that these are a thing, check them out - there are over 150 of them in Ethiopia, as well as examples in other countries. Many are more like caves dug into the rock, and few have the complexity of those in Lalibela, but they continue to be constructed for use by those who follow the monastic tradition of isolated contemplation.) It is currently undergoing structural repair (as can be seen in the image) because, like the others, there has been serious degradation over the centuries. UNESCO considers most of the site to be in a critical condition, with Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanual) in imminent danger of collapse.

The Lalibela cross, thought to date from the 12th century, is about 60 cm tall, made from a single piece of gold (alloyed with some bronze for strength). The cross is surrounded by an ornate horseshoe-shaped band, decorated with protruding circular shapes that are reminiscent of a crown, and with a small cross at the apex. (Since I am not good at describing things, I wish I could have located a good image of the cross to use for this question. Unfortunately, they all showed it in use, so the picture included one or more recognisable people.) When used in processions, it is mounted on a wooden upright handle which is draped in appropriately-coloured cloth. This specific cross is not unique in form - there are many similar ones used in Ethiopian churches - but it is considered a relic of historical significance because it is said that it was fashioned by Lalibela himself.

Answer: True

Biete Golgotha Mikael also contains replicas of the tombs of Jesus and Adam, a nativity scene, and (in the Selassie Chapel) the reputed tomb of King Lalibela. As one of the most sacred parts of the site, it is off-limits to women (and the entire site has no access for wheelchairs), so not everyone can admire them. If you can visit, one of the first things you will see on entering is the figure of Saint Peter.

The other apostles are along the walls as you proceed further.

Answer: Biete Ghiorgis

Here is yet another legend about the construction of the churches. According to this story, Lalibela had almost completed building the complex, as instructed by God, when St George appeared and chastised him for failing to have a place for him. Lalibela then built Biete Ghiorgis, which stands apart from the rest of the complex. This is perhaps the most iconic of the churches, as its cruciform roof protrudes above the surface, and has a pattern of three Greek crosses (inside each other) carved in it.

The church is carved from a cubical rock, carved so that the main entrance is on the west side, and the altar on the east. It is approached by stairs from the floor of the pit in which it stands. The pit can only be accessed by way of a tunnel that enters the pit through one of the vertical walls. Inside the church you will find olivewood boxes supposedly carved by King Lalibela (he was a very busy and talented man!), and a more recent painting of St George slaying the dragon.