Na'akuto La'ab Monastery
ንዓኩቶ ላዓብ
A small monastery built into a shallow cave. 'Holy water' drips from the rock ceiling and is caught in stone bowls, and the monastery preserves ancient scrolls and crosses.
The monastery lies about 7 km southeast of Lalibela, beside the airport road, and is said to have been founded by Na'akuto La'ab, a successor of King Lalibela. The church is built within a rock cave. Water drips from the cave ceiling year-round and is collected in stone basins below, which the faithful regard as holy water. The priests display illuminated manuscripts and hold up their crosses for visitors. The drive takes about 15 minutes and the visit 30 to 40 minutes. Admission is charged separately. It can easily be visited on the way to or from the airport.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Asheton Maryam Monastery
- Bete Abba Libanos
- Bete Merkorios
- Bete Gabriel-Rufael
- Bete Amanuel
- Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
- Bete Giyorgis (Church of St. George)
- Bete Medhane Alem