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Atlas place

Lalibela

Primarily 12th–13th centuries · Lasta highlands

Lalibela is a sacred site made up of eleven churches carved into the rock, connected by courtyards, trenches, and narrow passageways. The complex was built and changed over several periods.

Encyclopedia entry

Lalibäla

Marie-Laure Derat · Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. III, p. 477b–480a

L. (ላሊበላ; regnal name Gäbrä Mäsqäl) was a late 12th/early 13th-cent. king of the ↗Zagwe dynasty. Venerated as a saint by the ↗Ethiopian Orthodox Church, L. is one of the best-known Zagwe kings, even if the available information is dispersed, and one of the mos

Encyclopedia entry

Lalibäla

Niall Finneran · Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. III, p. 482a–484a

The town L. (ላሊበላ) is situated on the slopes of Mount Abunä Yosef in the Wärwär district of the north-central ↗Lasta highlands at an altitude of 2,600 m A.S.L., ca. 340 km north of Addis Abäba (12° N, 39° E). It lies in the Amhara kǝllǝl (former Wällo province

Encyclopedia entry

Lalibäla

Matthew Curtis · Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. III, p. 489a–490a

L. (ላሊበላ) cave is an archaeological site east of Lake ↗Ṭana. It is one of the caves (along with Näč̣č̣abet) discovered in an escarpment over­ looking ↗Fogära at ca. 2,200 m A.S.L., some 4 km north-east of the village of Hamuset, 35 km north of Baḥǝr Dar. The L

Architecture image

Lalibela archaeological features

Lalibela · Ancient Churches of Ethiopia: Fourth–Fourteenth Centuries (2009)

Lalibela, a wall built of large stone blocks, 2006. Located within the area of the modern town some 150 m northwest of Beta Mika’el, this is the only example of such walling at Lalibela that is not associated with a hypogeum.

Architecture image

Lalibela archaeological features

Lalibela · Ancient Churches of Ethiopia: Fourth–Fourteenth Centuries (2009)

Lalibela, rock-cut foundation trenches of a rectilinear structure, west of Beta Mika’el, 2006.

Illustrated artifact

Lalibela Cross

Photo taken in the Bet Medhane Alem church, Lalibela, Ethiopia, with priest's permission.

Architecture image

Lalibela Eastern Complex

Lalibela · Ancient Churches of Ethiopia: Fourth–Fourteenth Centuries (2009)

Lalibela, the peripheral trench of the Eastern Complex, 2007. Lepage (2002) interpreted some of the features shown here as part of a water-control mechanism. The scaffold visible in the background protects the south façade of Beta Abba Libanos.

Architecture image

Lalibela Eastern Complex

Lalibela · Ancient Churches of Ethiopia: Fourth–Fourteenth Centuries (2009)

Lalibela, part of the peripheral trench northeast of Beta Emmanuel, looking south, 2006.

Architecture image

Lalibela Eastern Complex

Lalibela · Ancient Churches of Ethiopia: Fourth–Fourteenth Centuries (2009)

Lalibela, tunnel adjacent to Beta Merkurios in the Eastern Complex’s peripheral trench, 2006. This tunnel forms part of a feature interpreted by Lepage (2002) as part of a water-control mechanism (cf. fig. 226 and discussion on pp. 145–6).

Architecture image

Lalibela Northern Complex

Lalibela · Ancient Churches of Ethiopia: Fourth–Fourteenth Centuries (2009)

Lalibela, the trench linking the Northern and Eastern Complexes, incorporating nuns’ residences, 1997.

Artifact / manuscript

Altar dedicated to Melchizedek (DSG 03), Lalibela

Lalibela named in the prayer; around the late twelfth or early thirteenth century · Dabra Sina–Golgotha, Lalibela, Ethiopia; documented in 2009–2010

A damaged single-piece altar with a repeated floral cross on the sides and top. The southeast leg and parts of two faces are missing. A Geʿez prayer runs down the western legs, invoking Melchizedek on behalf of Lalibela. The inner cavity measures about 21.5 cm deep to the frame.

Artifact / manuscript

Altar dedicated to the cherubim (BMA 02), Lalibela

Royal commission, probably Lalibela; exact date unknown · Biete Medhani Alem, Lalibela, Ethiopia; documented in 2009–2010

A single-piece wooden altar with crosses on its sides and top. The prayer to the many-eyed cherubim names a king, but the king’s name is lost with the damaged southeast corner. Bosc-Tiessé considers Lalibela a probable identification rather than restoring his name …

Artifact / manuscript

Altar of the 24 Priests of Heaven (BMA 01), Lalibela

Lalibela named as commissioner; around the late twelfth or early thirteenth century · Biete Medhani Alem, Lalibela, Ethiopia; documented in 2009–2010

Carved from one piece of wood, with crosses on four sides and the top. Its Geʿez prayer names King Lalibela and asks the 24 Priests of Heaven to intercede for forgiveness. The inscription runs around the east-face cross and down a leg. …