Lalibela Churches Attract over 80,000 to 100,000 Visitors Annually
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (WIC) - Lalibela Churches Attract over 80,000 to 100,000 Visitors Annually.
With more than 80,000 to 100,000 visitors coming to visit these churches in Lalibela every year, the pilgrims of the place feel proud to get a chance to be there.
They believe they share same blessings as pilgrims to Jerusalem, said Fikru Woldegiorgis, a local guide. There are 11 splendid churches carved out of a single rock. They are believed to be there since last 900 years.
The place is considered very important for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church people. During his reign, King Lalibela made it a point to form the `New Jerusalem’. The churches stand in a rural Northern Ethiopian town.
They have been named after the same king. These churches are divided into two groups and are separated by River Jordan. Aba Gebreyesus, the Priest who presides over all the churches in Lalibela, said people who come early get blessing at the place.
“People are so happy with the blessings they get here, they come here without any prompting and spend their nights and days at the church”, he added.
The town is situated at 2,800 meters above sea level. The structures were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage site in 1978. UNESCO built protective coverings to safeguard the churches five years ago.(newspoint.co.za)
