Yemerehane Kristos cave church

This is a late Aksumite church built in a cave, probably in the 11th century, making it older than the more famous churches in Lalibela. It is located on a natural spring, and the water is considered holy.
The 1st picture is the final approach to the church after a climb of about 20 minutes. That wall is a new structure to provide security. There is a small waterfall from the cliff above the cave to the left of the security wall that pilgrims use to shower as a form of healing.
The 2nd picture is the front of the church inside the cave, behind the security wall. It is made of marble, limestone, wood and rock. I'm told that the door was provided by the Caliph Saladin at that time. The 3rd picture is a detail of the lintel over the door showing lions.
The next 4 pictures are all inside the church, showing the extraordinary decoration, most of which is original. The last of these is the local priest, fully vested and standing before the Holy of Holies, showing 2 ancient processional crosses, one gold and the other silver.
Behind the church, where the cave continues back into the mountain, is an area with as many as 2,000 skeletons. I understand that these were priests, monks and pilgrims who wanted to be buried in this holy place. This is in the hard to see last picture.Leggi altro