If you go to Lalibela, you will see its famous rock-hewn churches. There are eleven: two groupings of 5 each and 1 separate. Be prepared to climb up and down some slippery, steep passageways...
You'll hire someone who'll follow you around between churches and will help you take your shoes off and put them back on at each church entrance.
The churches were built in the 13th century, during the reign of King Lalibela. They are one of the original UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Inside, the churches are dim, and you find priests reading scriptures in the ancient Ge'ez language, surrounded by fellow priests and deacons. Worshipers sit against walls and in corners. Because we were there during Holy Week, we always saw services going on -- our guide, who had served as a church deacon when he was younger, said that Holy Week services were about 12 hours long (!!!).
The best-known of the Lalibela churches is Bet Giorgis (St. George's Church). It was dug out of the rock in the shape of a cross. Legend has it that after the other 10 churches were completed, St. George himself appeared to King Lalibela and said "Hey, what about me?" So they built the best one for him.
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