Formerly known as Roha, it now bears the name of King Lalibela, a member of the Zagwe dynasty. Shortly after his birth at Roha, the future king's mystical life began to unfold. Legend has it that one day his mother saw him lying happily in his cradle surrounded by a dense swarm of bees. Recalling an old Ethiopian belief that the animal world could foertell the advent of important personages, the second sight came upon her and she cried out: 'The bees know that this child will become King'. Accordingly she called her son 'Lalibela', wich means 'the bee recognizes his sovereignty'.
Lalibela's older brother, Harbay, the incumbent monarch, was naturally disturbed to hear this news and became jealous. As the years passed, he began to fear for the safety of his throne, decided to eliminate his rival, and unsuccesfully tried to have his brother murdered.
Persecutions of one kind or another continued for several years, culminating in a deadly potion that left the young prince in mortal sleep. During the three-day stupor, Lalibela was transported by angles to the first, second and third heavens, where God ordered him to return to Roha and build churches, the like of which the world had never seen before. The Almighty, it is said, further told the prince how to design those churches, where to build them, and how to decorate them.
After Lalibela returned to mortal existence, Harbay, acting on instructions from the Lord, went to pay homage to him and beg his forgiveness. The two brothers then rode together on the same mule to Roha and Harbay abdicated in favour of his younger brother. When Lalibela was crowned, he gathered masons, carpenters, tools, set down a scale of wages, and purchased the land needed for the building. The hurches were built with great speed, because the angels continued the work at night.
Those who scoff at such whimsical folklore are soon silenced when they glimpse the famous Lalibel churches. Physically prised from the rock in which they stand, these towering edifices seem to be of superhuman creation in scale, workmanship and concept. Some lie almost completely hidden in deep trenches, while others stand in open quarried caves. A complex and bewildering labyrinth of tunnels and narrow passageways with offset crypts, grottos and galleries connects them all. Throughout this mysterious and wonderful settlement, priests and deacons go about their timeless business scarcely seeming aware that they are living in what has become known as the Eight Wonder of the World.
The venue for some of the most famous church festivals in Ethiopia, a visit during the great celebrations of Timkat (Epiphany) is very special.