Subscribe Now

travelers today

Home » Video

"New Jerusalem" in Ethiopia: Hidden Town Of Lalibela Attracts Annual Pilgrimage

Travelers Today       By    Nicole Ynayan

Updated: Nov 23, 2016 03:55 AM EST

Text Size: A A A

During the first few days of January, thousands of devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians may be seen flocking to the town of Lalibela to visit what is now being called the "New Jerusalem." This holy city is composed of 11 interconnected hand-carved churches that are connected through a series of mazes and tunnels.

The first days of January mark the celebration of Genna (also known as Ledet), which is the Ethiopian calendar's version of Christmas. During these holidays pilgrims travel barefoot to the holy land of Lalibela to experience what is described to be a path from darkness into light: a coming out into heaven.

The site was constructed in the 12th century AD by the Ethiopian Christian leader, King Lalibela, as a response to the Muslim occupation of Jerusalem. This "New Jerusalem," having seen over 800 years of history and culture, has been named a permanent UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to a report by CNN, Lalibela was created to provide a safe area for Christians to practice their religion during an ongoing Muslim invasion from the North. The concealed site features churches, catacombs, and passageways that are dug meters below the ground.

The pilgrimage site is considered invisible from a distance, with its roof level with the ground. The only distinguishable mark of the location is a Greek Orthodox cross, located in the center of a twelve-meter-deep man-made crater.

Lalibela's eleven churches are all hand-carved into the monolithic blocks of stone of the nearby mountains. Each church is a product of painstaking hammer and chisel work to create floors, roofs, windows, etc.

The site's eleven churches are connected through an elaborate series of mazes, tunnels, and ditches. These pitch black passageways are considered to be the darkness that will lead all to the light waiting at the end.

According to News.com, as many as 20, 000 people have been known to travel to Lalibela at the beginning of each year to celebrate the Ethiopian holiday. Most pilgrims have been observed to travel barefoot, sleep on the ground, and continuously celebrate through prayer and worship throughout the once-in-a-lifetime journey.

The religious pilgrimage is said to be a great example of community, spirituality, and hospitality. This unique celebration is observed to be full of hope and understanding, with God at the center of every action, particularly of the white-robed travelers.

According to recent statistics, only a bare minimum of pilgrims have been identified as foreigners. The site's lack of global awareness may be attributed to Ethiopia's recent State of Emergency and poor economic stature. However, the European Council on Tourism and Trade has recently named the country as the "World's Best Tourism Destination".

The government hopes that rising awareness of Ethiopia's cultural and historical sites will raise it tourism. With an increase of twelve percent over the past year, the government hopes to see an even greater rise in tourism in the years to come.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018

Tags
lalibela , jerusalem , pilgrimage sites , religious pilgrimage sites , christian pilgrimage site , christian pilgrimage , religious christian sites , religious christian place , lalibela ethiopia , lalibela pilgrimage
© 2023 Traverlers Today, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join Our Conversation

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive the latest travel news, reviews, and more..

Most Popular

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

6 Tips For Traveling With Young Children

Planning for a trip takes some time, even if it's just you g

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

How Traveling Can Make You Happy

If you have never traveled before but are thinking of doing so then

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

Scottish Islands: The Best Places to Reside!

So there are a few islands that can be found off the Sco

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

How to Plan a Multi-Destination Honeymoon During COVID

You need to know how to plan appropriately and

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

7 Tips for Amazing Campus Visits

A campus visit's significance could not be overstated. After all, fo

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

4 Tips For Curating The Perfect Gallery Wall

Having a gallery wall brings plenty of benefits to your

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

Water Travel Options That Don’t Involve a Cruise

There is something equally relaxing and invigorati

Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

Things That Will Help Cost-Conscious Vacationers Save Money

There are several ways you can significan

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

How to Make Vet Visits Affordable in 2022

If the situation is minor, you might be lucky and get away

Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels

Know Your Florida Driving Rules

There is so much to do in the region, but we want to focus on some of

Photo by Ging Ang from Pexels

Holidaying in your own Country: Try these Fun Trips!

Many countries are opening their borders, but if

Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative from Pexels

The Best Tech Tools for Expats

Here’s a quick look at most versatile tech tools for expats on the m

Photo by Tobi from Pexels

How to Turn a Road Trip Into A Luxury Adventure

But a road trip doesn’t have to mean living on the

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Australian Citizenship Test: Everything You Need to Know

Do you want to become a citizen of Australia

Hair transplant Istanbul: Why is it so popular?

Hair Transplant Istanbul: Why is it so Popular?

Getting a hair transplant in Istanbul is affordable i

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

What’s Going on with Rental Cars Right Now?

They are incredibly expensive, and they’re also in sh

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

Role of Professional companies in International Trade

International trade holds great importance in a

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

The 5 Best Wines from Germany

Riesling is Germany’s best-known wine, but the country makes other fi

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

Here's Why You Should Go Camping On Weekends

There is nothing like the great outdoors –– natureâ€

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

The Best Tote Bags To Travel With in 2022

Who knew you could pack your entire life away into one litt

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

7 Captivating Attractions for Kids in San Diego

San Diego is a magnificent place, and it would not be

travelers today

© 2023 TRAVELERS TODAY All rights reserved.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Real Time Analytics