CHURCH OF ASHETEN MARIAM
The sanctuary is hidden away at the top of Mount Asheten, which dominates the town from its rocky peak at 3,200 m altitude, just below the Nakuto Lab church. It takes around 2 hours to reach it on foot via the path that starts in the outskirts of Lalibela, opposite the Seven Olives Hotel. A new road allows access by car or badjaj, for those who want to save time on the first day of a trek, for example. Near the entrance to the sanctuary, a small carved grotto, partly collapsed, marks the site of an ancient church dedicated to Saint Michael.
Accessible via a small tunnel dug into the tufa, the church itself is monolithic, exposed on only three sides of the rock. It appears nestled in the grey rock. Like most other churches, Asheten Mariam is encased in protective scaffolding that prevents a bird's-eye view from the upper walls. In the courtyard, a cavity, the kené malet, has been cleared to accommodate the deftara choir. The interior features a motley collection of icons and paintings from various periods. Probably begun during Lalibela's reign, the church was completed by his successor Nakuto Lab in the 13th century. To the left of the monument, a natural terrace offers a magnificent circular panorama. This church can be a good starting point for a two- to four-day trek in the Lasta mountains, with an ascent of the nearby Abuna Yossef peak, which we warmly recommend.
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