95Cross of St George
The cruciform Bet Giyorgis (House of
St George) is the most photogenic of the
11 churches and chapels hewn from red
volcanic rock at Lalibela in northern
Ethiopia. According to tradition, they
were carved on the orders of King Gebre
Meskel Lalibela (after whom the site was
later named), ruler of the Zagwe dynasty
from around 1180, who – according to
some commentators – set out to create a
‘New Jerusalem’ after Muslim conquests
hampered pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
In fact, the dates of construction are
unknown, though may have extended
over several centuries. Legend has it
that St George himself inspected the
churches – and that marks still visible at
the entrance of Bet Giyorgis were left by
the hooves of the saint’s horse.In the country’s mountainous north,
Orthodox pilgrims flock to pray at
11 monolithic medieval churches
hewn from red volcanic rock.
Paul Bloomfield explores Lalibela
The ‘New
Jerusalem’
of Ethiopia
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