Bet Giyorgis Church

The Church of Saint George, known locally as Bete Giyorgis, was erected by King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty and is a monument of enormous cultural and religious significance. This is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Ethiopia.

The Church of St. George was cut downwards from volcanic tuff. This is the only architectural material employed in the building. It is considered to have been built during the reign of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the late Zagwe dynasty in the late 12th or early 13th century AD. It is one of the most well-known and recently constructed of the eleven churches in the Lalibela region, and has been dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Lalibela, King of Ethiopia, aimed to recreate Jerusalem and designed the churches' environment and holy locations to accomplish this goal. "At Lalibela, the churches are divided into two large groups, one representing earthly Jerusalem and the other representing heavenly Jerusalem." A trench depicting the Jordan River runs exactly between them." The trench is 25 meters by 25 meters by 30 meters, and there is a little baptismal pool outside the chapel in an artificial trench.

According to Ethiopian cultural history, Bete Giyorgis was erected after King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty had a vision in which he was told to build the church; Saint George and God have both been alluded to as the source of the instructions.

Lalibela is a pilgrimage place for Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church adherents; the church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela."

Address: Lalibela, Amhara