We hired a driver and car to go to a monastery, Yemrehanna
Kristos, about 45 kms away. We had the usual spectacular views and the usual
mud and pothole filled roads so driving
45 kms took about 90 minutes. We hiked up to the church which was entirely
under a huge rock overhang.
The church looks very different than the others we have
seen. The architecture is late Axumite. It is built with alternating layers of
wood and granite and faced with white gypsum. There are cruciform carved
windows, an etched wood panel room, a ceiling with inlaid hexagons and a large
dome over the sanctuary. This church was built by a predecessor of King
Lalibela, ascending to the throne in 1087. The wood was allegedly imported from
Egypt and the gypsum from Jerusaem.
Behind the church building is a fenced in area containing
bones of 10,740 pilgrims who allegedly walked from Egypt, Syria and Jerusalem
to die here.
That night we had dinner at Ben Abeba, a very odd looking
modernistic structure atop a hill overlooking the valley. The views were wonderful and after it got
cold and dark, we were escorted downstairs to sit in front of a fire.
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| Views on the way |
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| The church is behind the new fence. Notice the overhanging rock |
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| The church |
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| The palace |
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| The pilgrims' bones |
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| The king's tomb |
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| The windows of the church |
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| the inside of the church |
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| Chimes and incense burners |
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| The overhanging rock with holy water dripping down |
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| A village on the way back |
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| A large bug |
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| The modern restaurant |
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| Views from the restaurant |
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| Our waiters by the fire |
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