Lalibela

 city, place with historical importance, pilgrimage, UNESCO World Heritage Site, former national capital, tourist attraction

Lalibela, formerly known as Roha, was the capital of Ethiopia during the Zagwe dynasty which lasted from the early 1100s to 1270 AD, and is home to the wondrous rock-hewn churches built by Emperor Lalibela, the town owes its name to.

In aims to create a pilgrimage site in the country, the emperor built 11 churches carved out of solid volcanic rocks inside the the capital, and was able to achieve his objectives with a great deal of efforts. To this day, Lalibela is considered one of the holiest cities in Ethiopia, and draws large number of pilgrims every year for the celebration of Timkat (Epiphany). The most popular of the rock-hewn churches are the Bete Medahni Alem ("House of the Savior of the World"): wikimapia.org/#lat=12.0336451&lon=39.0438062&z=19&l=0&... and Bete Giorgis ("House of St. George"): wikimapia.org/#lat=12.031654&lon=39.0411964&z=19&l=0&m...

The town of Lalibela is set on the southwestern foot of a 4,239m (13,908ft)-high Mount Abune Yosef in Lasta woreda (district) some 645km (401mi) north of Addis Ababa, and 285km (177mi) northwest of Dessie, the zonal capital of Wollo, and has its rock-hewn churches inscribed by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in 1978.