Built in the 12th century by King Lalibela, these ten churches are carved from solid rock. That's right, carved out of solid rock. Monolithic structures, not block of stone laid in place. Took about 40 years to build and some estimate it took as many as 15000 people working full time. Mind blowing experience.

This is the first church. It is covered by a metal canopy to stop water damage. Installed by Finnish group.

Picture of me and Sal and our trusty guide, Sefiw (Ferguson) standing on the bridge that leads across to St. Michael's church. Lots of fotos of this one below.

Celia in one of the crevasses they cut to separate churches from wall, drainage, and passage from church to church.

This structure was apparently a bakery where the bread was made for mass. Note the holes which served as chimneys.

Taking off our shoes to go inside a church...or maybe we were putting them back on. Had to take off shoes to enter all of the churches we went into, and we went into at least 8 of them, a couple of them twice.

Me, Sal and Celia waiting outside one of the churches, just after putting on our shoes.

Me, Sallie, and Ferguson climbing down rough stairs. No ADA guidelines here.

Another glamour shot of Celia down in one of the passages.

Glamour shot in front of St. Michael's church. That's it sticking up from the rock behind her.

Celia sitting in front of one of the churches they have scaffolded to put up a roof to protect from rain. Note how tall it is.

Apparently, she got tired and sat down a lot. Tesfaye likes to take her picture.

She climbing out of the trench in the footprints of St. Gabriel's horse.

Celia and Tesfaye looking out over the panorama of Lalibela area.

Behind the first of the great churches. Note how tall it is. I would guess this church is 60 ft by 80 ft and about 40 feet tall and all carved out of a single rock. Actually, this one has sustained some damage and the Italians added in some replacement pillars to hold up the roof.

That's me climbing up out of a tunnel called Hell. Twenty-five meters in total darkness. Lots of fun. I didn't use the flashlight. Really!

The first church. See the canopy to keep the rain off the roof

Sefiw (Ferguson) with one of the priests showing us his church cross and personal hand cross.

This priest (Ethiopian Orthodox Church) is holding the solid gold Lalibela cross. This was stolen and was just recently recovered. I don't know the story, but it apparently was an inside job of some type.

This priest is holding a metal version of the Lalibela cross in his right hand and that is supposed to be King Lalibela's walking stick in his left hand. He could supposedly use it like a crutch and rest on it with it under his arm pit. If so, he was about 7 and a half feet tall.

A mural from 12th century. That's St. Jorge killing the dragon down there at the bottom Didn't know he was an Ethiopian, did ya?

Some pilgrims touring the churches. Down in the bottom but climbing out. There are six of the churches in this immediate area and another across the hill. We saw the first six one day and the others the next.

More pilgrims. It was January 2nd and they observe Christmas on January 7th. The town was filling up with pilgrims who had walked in for miles. Typical clothing shown here and barefoot.

Another picture of priest with the mural above.

Another cross and hand cross of the priest. Each church has its own unique cross and each priest has his own personal hand cross, which he uses for prayer. The church crosses are all relics and are brought out by the priest for the paying tourist trade....that's us. We paid $12.00 a piece to see this amazing place.

Sallie and Ferguson (Sefiw) in front of St. Michael's Church, which is probably the most famous of the churches. It is separate from the others and is great for picture taking.

See what I mean? The church looks small, but those bumps on the far right corner are a couple of people. The church is about 40 ft by 40 ft and about 40 feet high. All carved out of this huge boulder.

A slightly different view.

Down in the bottom of the hole, looking up.

Another view from the bottom. Amazing difference in color, depending upon where you're standing and where the sun is located when you take the picture.

Tesfaye in front of the church.

All of us in front of the church. Ferguson took the picture.

Coming out of one of the tunnels they use to get from some churches to others.