We have all heard of pilgrimage centers around the world. Some of the most famous are Lourdes ,Rome and Jerusalem. However, there exists a pilgrimage location in Ethiopia also. We are referring to the city of Lalibela located in the northern part of the country. The reason for the city being famous is down to the eleven churches present there. However, these are no ordinary buildings. There are cut from rock and have a monolithic look and feel to them.  What makes these churches even more special is the representation. They are believed to have been built after the year 1187 and modeled after the holy city of Jerusalem.

The city was originally named as Roha. However, it was renamed after the Ethiopian ruler Saint Lalibela. He ruled over the country in the thirteenth century. He spent a number of years in the city of Jerusalem and Rome during his younger days. Historians credit him with the replication of Jerusalem. The reason was stated as a chance to create a new Jerusalem as the original city was captured by rulers following the Muslim religion. Every name in the town including the river is named after Jerusalem. He ruled from this city during the length of his tenure.