Lalibela, Northern Ethiopia, Ethiopia

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Known as the Eight Wonder of the world, Lalibela is a revered spot to Ethiopians and foreigners alike. One is baffled by the immensity and beauty of twelve monolithic churches that where hewn out of rock over eight centuries ago.

The town is named for King Lalibela, who was born there in the early 12th century, and transformed it into a natural wonder. At the moment of the future king's birth, he was surrounded by a cloud of bees, and believing these to be the soldiers that would one day serve her son, his mother gave him the name Lalibela, which means "the bees recognize his sovereignty."

Legend has it that King Lalibela enlisted the help of angels to produce the miraculous rock-hewn churches. Standing in two groups, on either side of the Jordan River, the churches are still houses of worship today. One of the churches is believed to contain the tomb of the king himself.

The best time to visit the churches is during one of the religious holidays, when the priests who live there perform ancient rituals according to the religious tradition. At Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany) on January 19, an intricate ritual unfolds before the spectator-here the traditional dances of the priests take places after the annual baptismal mass o the River Jordan. During Ethiopian Easter, Christian from near and far makes a pilgrimage to beloved Lalibela to celebrate on holy ground.

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