Bete Maryam (“House of Mary”) is an Ethiopian Orthodox church in Lalibela, Amhara, Ethiopia, and is considered the oldest of the eleven rock-hewn churches in the area. It was likely the favorite of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela due to its rich decorations, both painted and sculpted. The church, with a monolithic design, measures 15.6 x 9.2 meters and stands 9 meters tall. Its simple exterior features diverse windows and three porches, with the western porch adorned by unique bas-reliefs, including two riders slaying a dragon.
The church’s interior is richly adorned with painted and sculpted decorations, including geometric patterns, animal motifs, and biblical scenes. A central pillar, known as the “Pillar of Jacob’s Ladder,” bears inscriptions in Ge’ez, Hebrew, and Arabic, symbolizing spiritual connection. Bete Maryam’s basilica-style layout includes a flat ceiling and three naves separated by rectangular pillars. Notably, the inner decorations show influence from Coptic, Syriac, and Byzantine art, with figures from the New Testament and motifs like the Star of David and Greek meanders. One veiled pillar is said to hold divine knowledge of humanity’s future.
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22MV+FG7, Lalibela, Ethiopia - Web
None - Visiting Hours
Unknown - What to see
Church carved in the Rock, decoration in the inside
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