St. Yimrhane Kirstos (Yemrehanna Kristos), Ethiopia – 2014. We took a day trip from Lalibela to visit a 12th century church built inside a cave. It is set inside a large natural cavern on a hill in northern Ethiopia. It is built with stone and wood and predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by almost a century. Check out the World Monument Fund for details of this church.
Yemrehanna Kristos church
Yemrehanna Kristos church
The tomb of Yemrehanna Kristos
Yemrehanna Kristos church
The bone pile at the back of the cave of Yemrehanna Kristos church. Pilgrims came there to die.
Skulls at the back of the cave of Yemrehanna Kristos church
The bone pile at the back of the cave of Yemrehanna Kristos church.
The bone pile at the back of the cave of Yemrehanna Kristos church.
Stone column and arch inside the Yemrehanna Kristos church
Painting and artwork on the arches and ceiling of Yemrehanna Kristos church
Painting and artwork on the arches and ceiling of Yemrehanna Kristos church
Painting and artwork on the arches and ceiling of Yemrehanna Kristos church
Stone column and arch inside the Yemrehanna Kristos church
We were told that these were diamonds to radiate light through the church. They didn’t appear to work anymore.
One of the Priests at Yemrehanna Kristos church
Paintings on one of the arches of Yemrehanna Kristos church
Painted wood work on the ceiling
Drawings on the outside wall on one of the church buildings at Yemrehanna Kristos
Local houses and mountains on the walk to Yemrehanna Kristos church
Children on the path leading to Yemrehanna Kristos church