Thank you for your kind comment, Jimmy! We are very fortunate to have been able to visit so many places in this world and experience so much. Not sure if we’re quite walking encyclopedias, but we do have quite a few stories to share:)

Addis, thank you for your thoughtful comment and providing historical context for the Lalibela churches in that they are part of a progression that spread from the Aksum and Tigray area in the north going further south. We in the Gheralta Mountains and hiked up to Maryam and Daniel Korkor, cave churches believed to be from 4th-6th centuries. Truly amazing structures. And yes, that the structures were built to show Ethiopian culture and style of life is incredible.

Thank you again for sharing.

Jonathan, glad you enjoyed the panorama! If you’re curious about how we create these 360-degree panoramas, check out our resource page for the gear and software we use: https://uncorneredmarket.com/world-travel-resources/#panorama

Well, for anyone interested generally in classic structures, in Ethiopia, we also have older churches than just a millennium ago. there are marvelous churches even some 7 hundred years older than these in other corners.

Many of them feature other kinds of architectural mysteries of their time (I admit they may not be as incredible as these in Lalibela). And some others are even converts of Jewish temples from pre-christian times (Ethiopia followed the jewish religion roughly since 1000BC onwards). And one of them is that which houses the ‘Arc of the Covenant’ In Axum Tsion.

And these even left some features for the Lalibela churches to copy. for example the monkey heads and the wooden beam-imitations at the windows and the wooden laden – you can call these architectural quotations of prior skills in the place.

That is one. and Two, we have carved-from-rock structures in Tigray, Ethiopia (though not churches, but huuuge stellae) yet, dating as far back as 2nd BC – some 1400 years older than Lalibela. And these huge imitations of multi-story buildings are even made and transported from as far as 7 killometers from where they are erected.

The unique thing about Ethiopia churches is that the builders cared not only for the rituals that are supposed to go on in there for generations, but they also wanted to send stronger messages and show an Ethiopian brand of lifestyle which is unique. Else where, people built structures, many of them even beyond words … but all of them use the same architectural technique – i.e. putting on and on a series of bricks to form a huge structure. Here, in Lalibela it is the opposite – removing more and more pieces out of a solid granite – a huuuuge one to form a woooowing grand piece, and the angles can’t be made more accurate in modern day.

Talakgeta, these churches are truly remarkable and beautiful. Your country has a truly incredible history and culture.

@Tom: The two treks we did in the Simien Mountains were definitely doable for folks who are not hard-core trekkers. They were each around 3-4 hours and we based ourselves in the Simien Lodge (pricey, but nice). If you decide you want to do a multi-day trek, then that will be more intense and include camping. Another area I’d recommend for nature is the Gheralta Mountains in Tigray – reminded us a bit of Arizona’s red rocks. Some of the climbs are a bit tricky, but manageable as there are guides there to help.

Oh, and the food was even better than we had imagined. Stay tuned for a thorough write-up on that!