Cleanse and Be Fulfilled with Lalibela’s Quaint Ambience

(1)

Religion is a human concept that has gone beyond borders of reason and belief. It is something that most people lean on during the toughest and happiest times, and it is where some gain the power of life and security. Though such a controversial field of society to discuss and prod on, when one talks about it, respect and acceptance would definitely follow. If you want to be doused with all things religious, then get your travel list ready and jot down a town in Ethiopia called Lalibela.

Widely known to be a World Heritage Site, this small town is pegged on churches that have a very distinct rock-sculpted characteristic. No matter how grand it is in photos and tons of verbal stories, Lalibela is still better seen and felt first hand. Surprise yourself when you visit Lalibela and experience worship and relaxation at the same time through the locals’ hospitality and warm accommodation.

Location

(2)

Smack right in the heart of Ethiopia, Lalibela is located on the northern edge of the country. Specifically, Lalibela can be seen on the infamous Semien Wollo Zone of the Amhara Ethnic Division, and is a good 67 kilometers away from the country’s capital city.

Lalibela is slightly elevated than its neighboring cities and towns at an estimated 2,500 meters above sea level. Currently, Lalibela is home to a minuscule 14,668 residents and an ample amount of World Heritage sites, churches and other wondrous feats of nature and modern architecture.

Climate

(3)

Due to its observable high elevation from the ground, Lalibela, according to the Koppen Climate Classification, experiences a warm steppe climate mixed in with strong winds and lower temperatures. Precipitation is not much of an event in this small town, and it normally just happens on the months of July and August.

Temperatures in Lalibela range from 24-29-degrees Celsius all year round. The lowest recorded temperature is at 9-degrees Celsius, which can be felt in the months of December and January. 

Accumulated precipitation can go as high as 100 millimeters in afternoon rain, depending on the amount of rain hours, which are normally at 7-8. The hottest months are May and June.

Transportation

(4)

Luckily, Lalibela does have its very own aviation terminal, the Lalibela Airport, which can be very rigid at times due to the fact that they are always overbooked. Flights are catered by Ethiopian Airlines and are normally on a very strict schedule, so better make sure that you’d show up on your chosen time and date, or you’ll miss the chance of flying in and out at all.

The aforementioned airport is a good 30-minute taxi ride from Lalibela’s city center and cab rides are known to be hefty, so better be smart in paying up your fare. From the equally famous town of Addis Ababa, you can catch bus rides, which usually last for a two-day journey with stops at Dessie.

Once in Lalibela, getting around is never difficult as you can catch minibuses giving rides that would drop and pick you up in the town’s major points of interest. If you’re feeling frenetic, you can always walk around the city, which is actually not huge in terms of land area.

What to See

Rock-Hewn Churches

(5)

Known to be included on UNESCO World Heritage Site list, Lalibela’s Rock-Hewn Churches are now marking the city’s fame on several blog sites and travel books. This wondrous feat of architecture features well-defined churches that are said to be hewn straight from a huge boulder of rock and is amazing on its outside and inside structure.

A visit to the set of these rock-hewn churches would come with schedules and a fee, so better book in advance for you not to miss out on the chance.

Lalibela World Cultural Centre

(6)

A city won’t be complete without a museum, and so the Lalibela World Cultural Centre was crafted. This complex is home to a handful of Lalibela’s local art, which showcases the town’s historical background through a collection of painting, glass-enclosed artifacts and well-preserved items from the golden age.

This museum also works as a good exhibit site for Lalibela artists who want to put their creativity on display.

Bet Abba Libanos

(7)

Bet Abba Libanos is quite distinct from the rest of the Rock-Sculpted churches due to the fact that it’s a hypogenous place of worship.

This specific church boasts Aksumite architecture and looks grand and huge from the inside.

http://laurenceourac.com/cleanse-and-be-fulfilled-with-lalibelas-quaint-ambience/

Images
(1) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lalibela_Village.jpg
(2 http://www.partee.net/Ethiotrip/ethiotrip.html
(3) http://andysworldjourneys.com/2015/08/26/travel-itineraries-ethiopia/
(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalibela_Airport
(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalibela
(6) http://tours42plus.com/blogs/anilyn/countries-of-africa/151/ethiopia
(7) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Churches_of_Lalibela_-_Bet_Abba_Libanos.jpg