Lalibela, Ethiopia - The Ethiopian town of Lalibela is one of the country's most famous and serene settings, beloved by tourists and Ethiopian Orthodox Christians alike for its concentration of rock-hewn churches. It's a holy place: instead of going to Jerusalem, people come here," Fethi said. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, the cluster of 13 churches are one of Ethiopia's most popular tourist destinations, bringing much-needed revenues and employment opportunities to Lalibela. The role of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which gains revenue from the churches, has come in for criticism. The work doesn't look like it will last for long," said Derat, who visited Lalibela last month.

Source: Ethiopian News December 03, 2018 09:40 UTC