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Photos: Ethiopia pins hopes of saving 900-year-old rock hewn churches on Macron visit

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in Ethiopia on Tuesday afternoon as the country grapples with the aftermath of a plane crash close to capital Addis Ababa, which killed all 157 people on board. Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are scheduled to travel to Lalibela later this week, for a visit locals hope will result in a new plan, money and expertise for the renewal of conservation efforts at the Lalibela complex of 11 rock hewn churches that date back 900 years and are at the heart of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.

Updated on: Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM IST

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An Ethiopian Orthodox priest Mekonnen Fatne (R) near the church of Saint Mary which is covered by a shelter to protect its rock-hewn structure from erosion in Lalibela, Ethiopia. Standing among his Ethiopian Orthodox faithful, Fatne looked upon the nine-centuries-old church they feared could be wrecked at any minute. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

An Ethiopian Orthodox priest Mekonnen Fatne (R) near the church of Saint Mary which is covered by a shelter to protect its rock-hewn structure from erosion in Lalibela, Ethiopia. Standing among his Ethiopian Orthodox faithful, Fatne looked upon the nine-centuries-old church they feared could be wrecked at any minute. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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An Ethiopian Orthodox pilgrim lays on a tree near the shelter protecting the rock-hewn structure of the church of Saint Mary. Over the church looms this massive tarpaulin screen supported by a lattice of metal, one of four shelters erected to protect the Lalibela’s historic churches, but which residents worry -- despite experts’ assurances -- could obliterate them. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

An Ethiopian Orthodox pilgrim lays on a tree near the shelter protecting the rock-hewn structure of the church of Saint Mary. Over the church looms this massive tarpaulin screen supported by a lattice of metal, one of four shelters erected to protect the Lalibela’s historic churches, but which residents worry -- despite experts’ assurances -- could obliterate them. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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A devotee sits under a sunshade between the church of Saint Mary (R) and the church of the House of the Saviour of the World. “If this were to collapse, do you think there would be any piece of the church left?” the priest asked, gesturing to the thick metal rods plunging into the red earth around Bete Maryam church. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

A devotee sits under a sunshade between the church of Saint Mary (R) and the church of the House of the Saviour of the World. “If this were to collapse, do you think there would be any piece of the church left?” the priest asked, gesturing to the thick metal rods plunging into the red earth around Bete Maryam church. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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People walk near an entrance of the church of Saint Mary. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, the Lalibela churches are unique. They are carved from rock and sit below ground level, surrounded by deep, dry moats, with only their roofs visible. The courtyards surrounding these extraordinary places of worship are reachable only by staircases and tunnels. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

People walk near an entrance of the church of Saint Mary. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, the Lalibela churches are unique. They are carved from rock and sit below ground level, surrounded by deep, dry moats, with only their roofs visible. The courtyards surrounding these extraordinary places of worship are reachable only by staircases and tunnels. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Devotees enter a tunnel leading to the church of Saint Emmanuel. Preservationists say the shelters erected in 2008 to keep rain off the churches pose no threat, but the structures have nonetheless become a symbol of the neglect Lalibela residents say they, and the complex, endure. “We are here because of the heritage,” said Yitibarek Getu, a deacon. “If there’s no heritage, imagine what will happen?” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Devotees enter a tunnel leading to the church of Saint Emmanuel. Preservationists say the shelters erected in 2008 to keep rain off the churches pose no threat, but the structures have nonetheless become a symbol of the neglect Lalibela residents say they, and the complex, endure. “We are here because of the heritage,” said Yitibarek Getu, a deacon. “If there’s no heritage, imagine what will happen?” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Devotees gather near the pillar of a shelter that protects the church of Saint Emmanuel. Lalibela takes its name from King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, a 13th-century leader who local lore holds built 11 churches with the help of angels after God ordered him to build a “New Jerusalem”. The Italian-built shelters have earned the ire of residents who claim they are ugly and could collapse in strong wind. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Devotees gather near the pillar of a shelter that protects the church of Saint Emmanuel. Lalibela takes its name from King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, a 13th-century leader who local lore holds built 11 churches with the help of angels after God ordered him to build a “New Jerusalem”. The Italian-built shelters have earned the ire of residents who claim they are ugly and could collapse in strong wind. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Devotees sit on a pillar of the shelter. “It’s like revenge by the Italians!” Negash Adamu, a 27-year-old Lalibela resident, said in reference to Ethiopia’s repeated conflicts with Italian colonizers. Priests and worshippers complain the shelters’ heavy support pillars have damaged the underground Trinity chapel, its roof cracking under the weight of the support pylon. The chapel is not open to the public. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Devotees sit on a pillar of the shelter. “It’s like revenge by the Italians!” Negash Adamu, a 27-year-old Lalibela resident, said in reference to Ethiopia’s repeated conflicts with Italian colonizers. Priests and worshippers complain the shelters’ heavy support pillars have damaged the underground Trinity chapel, its roof cracking under the weight of the support pylon. The chapel is not open to the public. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Tourists walk next to the church of Saint George. The rock-hewn churches stand up to 15 metres (42 feet) tall, replete with ornate designs and windows carved in the shape of crosses, but their rock composition leaves them vulnerable to erosion from the intense downpours of Ethiopia’s rainy season. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Tourists walk next to the church of Saint George. The rock-hewn churches stand up to 15 metres (42 feet) tall, replete with ornate designs and windows carved in the shape of crosses, but their rock composition leaves them vulnerable to erosion from the intense downpours of Ethiopia’s rainy season. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Locals also worry about the soundness of the shelters, which came with a 10-year guarantee. “We want a permanent restoration, and we want the shelter to be removed,” said Tsigieselassie Mazgebu, the complex’s parish priest. “There is a big possibility that if it falls on the treasure, it would demolish it.” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Locals also worry about the soundness of the shelters, which came with a 10-year guarantee. “We want a permanent restoration, and we want the shelter to be removed,” said Tsigieselassie Mazgebu, the complex’s parish priest. “There is a big possibility that if it falls on the treasure, it would demolish it.” (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Last year, Lalibela residents staged a protest over the churches’ condition. Hailu Zeleke Woldetsadik, director of cultural heritage conservation at Ethiopia’s Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, insisted there was no cause for alarm. “There is no imminent danger,” he told AFP, adding that the structures were designed to sway in heavy winds, rather than strain to breaking point. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Last year, Lalibela residents staged a protest over the churches’ condition. Hailu Zeleke Woldetsadik, director of cultural heritage conservation at Ethiopia’s Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, insisted there was no cause for alarm. “There is no imminent danger,” he told AFP, adding that the structures were designed to sway in heavy winds, rather than strain to breaking point. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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Ethiopian Orthodox devotees walk between the churches of Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. Kidanemariam Woldegiorgis, an archaeologist who grew up in Lalibela, blamed the controversy on a lack of consultation with town residents, which stoked suspicion. “It’s not clear, it’s not transparent what they are doing,” he said. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

Ethiopian Orthodox devotees walk between the churches of Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. Kidanemariam Woldegiorgis, an archaeologist who grew up in Lalibela, blamed the controversy on a lack of consultation with town residents, which stoked suspicion. “It’s not clear, it’s not transparent what they are doing,” he said. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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An Ethiopian Orthodox artist paints postcards in Lalibela. Hailu said Abiy and Macron will sign an agreement for the temporary shelters’ maintenance and the hiring of scientists to look into permanently restoring damaged churches. This could pave the way for the shelters’ replacement with lighter structures, possibly ones that can open and close depending on the weather, while repairs are done. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

Updated on Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM

An Ethiopian Orthodox artist paints postcards in Lalibela. Hailu said Abiy and Macron will sign an agreement for the temporary shelters’ maintenance and the hiring of scientists to look into permanently restoring damaged churches. This could pave the way for the shelters’ replacement with lighter structures, possibly ones that can open and close depending on the weather, while repairs are done. (Eduardo Soteras / AFP)

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