Picture of Genata Maryam church: arches and decorated ceiling (Lalibela, Ethiopia)

Arches and decorated ceiling of Genata Maryam church

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On the slopes of Mount Abuna Yosef, you can not only enjoy walks in nature, but also find some of the more remote churches of Lalibela.
Mekina Medhane Alem is situated inside a cave, much like Yemrehanna Kristos, although less famous, probably because it is more difficult to visit. The caretaker of the church was there, and even though he had the key, he did not want to take the responsibility of letting in visitors without the priest. He guided us up to his own small dwelling near the roof of the cave, from where we had a view of the small church in the cave. While we were sitting on his old leather-and-wood bed, we heard a rumour from outside, and mysteriously, the priest had appeared. When we entered the church, I was particularly happy that he had showed up: the inside paintings and frescoes were of particular beauty. The interior is always dark as the apparently 6th century church is situated in a cave. While the torch of my guide followed the scenes on the walls and the ceiling, some scenes suddenly became visible while others returned to the darkness where they had been just before. The darkness, and the beautiful scenes unfolding under the light of the torch only added to the mystery of Mekina Medhane Alem.
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