Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
The northern Ethiopian town of Lalibela, one of the holiest sites in the country, is known worldwide for its medieval monolithic rock-cut churches.
Though the dating of the churches is not well established, most are thought to have been built during the reign of King Lalibela during the 12th and 13th centuries.
According to legend, angels helped King Lalibela build these churches below ground after he received an order from God to create a new Jerusalem in Ethiopia.
Rediff.com presents some amazing pictures of the rock churches in Lalibela, regarded as the eighth wonder of the world by locals, which will take you back to medieval times.
In this photograph, people stand around Saint George, a rock-hewn church in Lalibela, after the morning mass.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Siegfried Modola/Reuters
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
Christian Orthodox priest Mesganaw Tarkgn raises an ancient cross in a picture-perfect pose inside a rock-hewn church in Lalibela. Standing patiently, he has grown used to the demands of visitors to one of Ethiopia's holiest sites.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Files/Reuters
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
A Christian Orthodox priest raises an ancient painted Bible in a picture-perfect pose inside a rock-hewn church in Lalibela.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
A Christian Orthodox monk leaves a rock-hewn church after prayers in Lalibela.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
A Christian Orthodox monk leaves a rock-hewn church after prayers in Lalibela.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
A woman stands at the doorsteps of Saint George, a rock-hewn church in Lalibela.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
A priest rings a bell to call the faithful to a mass outside Saint George church in Lalibela.
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AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Radu Sigheti/Reuters
Click NEXT to see more photos...
AMAZING photos: Inside Ethiopia's rock churches
Photographs: Siegfried Modola/Reuters
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