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Around Lalibela

November 3, 2013  —  Ethiopia

The town of Lalibela

Lalibela - Ethiopia
Old village of Lalibela.

Lalibela is famous for its rock-hewn churches, but it is also a very interesting place by itself.

The market is one of the nicest we have seen and attracts hundreds of people from the region. Around Lalibela, there are wonderful treks to do and also other magnificent churches to visit.

Lalibela - Ethiopia
Saint-Georges Church.

As you can see on the photo, the surrounding countryside is very scenic.

Lalibela - Ethiopia
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Old village of Lalibela with its traditional houses.
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Pilgrims going to the church.
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Traditional old house.
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Market day

Lalibela - Ethiopia
Market day in Lalibela.
Lalibela - Ethiopia

On Saturday, the town of Lalibela becomes alive with a huge market that attracts hundreds of people from the region.

At this market, it is possible to buy everything; fruits, vegetables, grains, salt, clothes, animals...

Lalibela - Ethiopia
A big crowd.
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Selling khat.
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Spices of all sorts.
Lalibela - Ethiopia
'Car' parking.
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Lalibela - Ethiopia
It is possible to buy a cow or a goat...
Lalibela - Ethiopia
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Trek to Mount Ashetan

Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
The trail.

The climb to Ashetan Maryam Church at the foot of Mount Ashetan is a very nice trek near Lalibela.

The trek in itself is worth the effort and in addition, one can visit a church containing some very nice treasures. The priest of this place is very eager to show the treasures of its church.

Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Pilgrims on the trail.
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Priest's house?
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia

The Ahetan Maryam Church doesn't have a spectacular architecture like those in town, but the place and the treasures that it contains make it a worthwhile excursion.

Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
The church shelters books and very nice crosses dating from a few centuries.
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Old parchment with religious scenes.
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Passage toward the valley.
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Meeting some locals.
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
The church stands on a rock outcrop and offers outstanding panoramas.
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
Ahetan Maryam trek - Ethiopia
The trail going to the church.
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Yemrehanna Kristos Church

Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia

This church, located 20 km from Lalibela, is one of the nicest in the area. It has the unique feature of being built inside a cavern.

The church dates from the 12th century and is attributed to King Yemrehanna Kristos, the predecessor of King Lalibela. The wooden structure is finely worked on the outside as well as the inside.

Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
Located in a cavern.
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
The ceiling.
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
The ceiling is richly decorated with very nice carvings.
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
The ceiling.
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
One of the church's sides.
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
The church is hidden behind the wall.
Yemrehanna Kristos church - Ethiopia
Climb to the church.
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The countryside

The countryside - Ethiopia
The countryside - Ethiopia
Lalibela - Ethiopia
Landscapes around Lalibela.
The countryside - Ethiopia
The countryside - Ethiopia
The countryside - Ethiopia
Landscapes around Lalibela.
The countryside - Ethiopia