Adadi Mariam Rock-Hewn Church
አዳዲ ማርያም
This semi-independent rock-hewn church about 70 kilometers south of the capital is said to date from the same period as Lalibela and is the closest rock church to the city.
The church is carved downward from a single block of red volcanic rock, with steps leading underground to a series of rooms supported by pillars. It is traditionally dated to the reign of King Lalibela in the 12th to 13th centuries. It is much smaller than Lalibela, but it allows visitors to experience a rock church within a single day. It can be combined with the Melka Kunture prehistoric site and the Tiya Stelae into a southern day trip. Visitors must remove their shoes, and a caretaker charges a fee for a guided explanation.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Melka Kunture Prehistoric Site
- Tiya Stelae
- Menagesha Suba Forest
- Mount Zuqualla
- Zoma Museum
- Meskel Square
- Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum
- Fendika Cultural Center