Lalibela
Zagwe emperor of Ethiopia
Quick Summary
The Zagwe dynasty ruled Ethiopia in the 12th and 13th centuries. Their capital was moved to Roha, later renamed Lalibela, in the Lasta Mountains. The most famous Zagwe emperor, Lalibela, is renowned for commissioning the construction of 11 monolithic rock-hewn churches in his capital. These churches, carved entirely below ground level from solid rock, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and showcase remarkable craftsmanship. The Zagwe rule ended in the late 13th century with a rebellion led by Yekuno Amlak of the Amhara people.12
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
