BETA AMANUEL
A purely monolithic church measuring 18.5 m long and 12.5 m wide, with a protective roof in Lalibela.
the "House of Emmanuel" is a purely monolithic church (built from a single stone boulder), the only one in this southern group of three churches (Beta Abba Libanos, Beta Gabriel et Raphael and Beta Mercurios), but also the second largest in Lalibela. It is also one of the most finely crafted of the group. For some specialists, it may have been the royal family's private chapel. It is sheltered by a protective roof. Measuring 18.5 m long and 12.5 m wide, it is located at the bottom of a trench.
The structure of the carved façade reflects typical Axumite architectural motifs, imitating the superimposition of wood and stone levels with openings framed by "monkey head" projections. There are many similarities here with the Yemrehanna Kristos church in Tigray.
The interior is organized around a classical basilica plan with three naves, the central one vaulted and surmounted by a gallery. The decoration is dominated by a frieze of blind windows for purely ornamental purposes. It is 12 m high and has three storeys. Each floor features a different style of window. The top floor features nine rooms symbolizing the nine missionary saints who spread the Christian religion throughout the country in the5th century. Note some bullet holes caused by regional conflicts in the early 20th century. From the south nave, a series of underground passages connect the sanctuary with Beta Mercurios.
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