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Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

Africa, Ethiopia · Cultural site · UNESCO World Heritage property #18

Critical ConcernConfidence: Developingas of October 14, 2026

Significance

UNESCO's property page describes eleven medieval churches carved from living rock in a mountainous part of Ethiopia, attributed to King Lalibela, who sought to create a 'New Jerusalem'. It notes the site remains an active centre of pilgrimage and is inscribed under cultural criteria (i), (ii) and (iii). UNESCO's own property page gives two dates: its short description calls Lalibela a '13th-century' New Jerusalem, while its brief synthesis says King Lalibela set out to build it in the 12th century.

Current Status Rationale

Historical damage is documented in the site's record, but the current classification is based on present conditions and the most recent credible evidence. The present picture has two layers. First, a chronic conservation layer: UNESCO records most of the eleven churches as in critical condition from water damage, a possible imminent collapse risk at Biete Amanuel, and temporary 2008 shelters that do not meet current engineering norms, with the Committee still working through the question of permanent shelters in 2025 and noting that the security situation has allowed only ad-hoc interventions. On its own this would sit at Moderate or High Concern; it is under active management with international and French-Ethiopian bilateral support. Second, an acute security layer: the most recent wire-service reports (Reuters and AFP, 24-25 September 2026) place fighting around, and by AFP's account reportedly in, Lalibela, with flights suspended. That matches the methodology's active-combat-zone trigger for Critical Concern. The label does not mean damage has been reported: no source reviewed documents damage to the churches in 2026, and the earlier incidents at the property (2021 takeovers; November 2023 gunfire that reportedly hit a shelter) are history in the events timeline. The sources do not assign responsibility for any specific incident at the churches and this entry does not either. Confidence is Developing rather than Supported: the situation is fast-moving, the position of the fighting rests on a single diplomatic source and unverified reports, no source after 25 September specific to Lalibela was found, and UNESCO has not yet published a 2026 assessment. Confidence does not alter the status.

Severe, currently active threats to the site's survival are documented by credible sources. The situation is actively changing and evidence is still emerging.

Threat Categories

Armed Conflict

Lalibela lies in the Amhara region, which has seen repeated armed conflict since 2021. Al Jazeera reported (citing residents and AFP) that Tigrayan forces took the town in August 2021, and, citing Reuters and AFP, that they reportedly retook it in December 2021. UNESCO's 2023 state of conservation page records that an armed conflict in 2021 disrupted property management, and Decision 45 COM 7B.35 welcomed a May 2022 UNESCO assessment mission organised following the end of the armed conflict. Fighting between Fano militia and the army reached the town in November 2023 (Al Jazeera, Reuters); a deacon told Reuters a metal shelter protecting one church was hit three times by stray gunfire, and African Arguments (February 2024, citing residents) reported bullet strikes on the iron legs of a shelter near Biete Medhani Alem and a mortar-like indent a few metres from St George church, which residents thought the army more likely caused. In the 2025 Decision 47 COM 7B.155 the Committee noted that 'the security situation has allowed only ad-hoc interventions so far'. The most recent reporting is from 24-25 September 2026: Reuters reported that flights to Lalibela were suspended because of nearby fighting, with a diplomatic source saying fighting was 'around the town but not inside it yet', and AFP reported receiving reports of fighting in Lalibela and a foreign security source saying the airport's flights were suspended. Neither report mentions damage to the churches. No Lalibela-specific reporting after 25 September 2026 was found; an Al Jazeera report of 3 October 2026 says fighting had spread into Amhara 'including around North Wollo' (AFP places Lalibela in North Wollo Zone). Local outlets also reported the effects on the town: The Reporter (Ethiopia, March 2024) reported that tourist arrivals had collapsed and that at least 45 hotels had closed, and Addis Fortune (January 2025) reported that security conditions in Amhara remained unpredictable and that the U.S. warned against travel to the region. Sources reviewed do not document who is responsible for any specific incident at the churches.

First identified: August 5, 2021 — Date of Al Jazeera's report that Tigrayan forces had taken Lalibela; conflict in the wider region began earlier (Al Jazeera's August 2021 report says fighting had continued 'since last November', i.e. November 2020).

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Sowetan (republishing Reuters), Arab News (republishing AFP), Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, The African Mirror (republishing Reuters), African Arguments, The Reporter (Ethiopia), Addis Fortune

Conservation / Structural

UNESCO's property page (Integrity section) records that most of the monuments are considered to be in critical condition from water damage, with collapse a possible imminent risk at Biete Amanuel, and notes that the temporary shelters protect the churches but affect their visual integrity. Four temporary shelters were built in 2008 over five of the eleven churches; the 2021 state of conservation page says they do not meet revised engineering norms, the 2023 page says a formal computational analysis found they do not meet formal standards under extreme wind, and the 2021 page records objections from church authorities and the local community. The 2018 advisory mission report said the shelters had no formal inspection or maintenance regime. Successive Committee decisions (43 COM 7B.105 in 2019, 44 COM 7B.118 in 2021, 45 COM 7B.35 in 2023) addressed the temporary shelters (a dismantling framework in 2019, modification to meet revised norms in 2021, a dismantling approach in 2023), asked for a revised Management Plan, and required impact assessments and other studies before any construction decision on permanent shelters (2021). In Decision 47 COM 7B.155 (2025) the Committee noted new uncertainties about the feasibility of bamboo as a structural material, welcomed a new architectural competition on alternative shelter options, and encouraged a monitoring system to define environmental equilibrium for each of the 11 churches before supporting the idea of permanent shelters; the next updated report is requested by 1 December 2026. These are chronic problems under active international and national management.

First identified: Not established — Chronic condition and shelter concerns documented across many UNESCO cycles; the sources reviewed give no single start date. The temporary shelters date from 2008.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, African Arguments

Natural Disaster

UNESCO's property page says seismic activity has disrupted the drainage system, contributing to water damage, and the 2021 and 2023 state of conservation pages list earthquake among the current threats. The sources reviewed document earthquake as a listed threat, not a specific damaging earthquake event at the property.

First identified: Not established — Listed as a standing threat in UNESCO state of conservation reporting; no dated seismic event at the property was found in the sources reviewed.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Environmental / Climate

UNESCO's 2021 and 2023 state of conservation pages list relative humidity and water (rain and water table) among the current threats, and the property page records water damage from filled and disrupted drainage ditches. The 2021 decision text summarised in the state of conservation page notes the basaltic rock absorbs water. The sources reviewed do not attribute these pressures to climate change, so this category reflects documented environmental factors only.

First identified: Not established — Chronic water and humidity pressures documented across UNESCO cycles; no single start date found in the sources reviewed.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Historical Timeline

  1. 1978
    Inscribed on the World Heritage List

    UNESCO's property page records the Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela as inscribed in 1978 under criteria (i), (ii) and (iii).

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  2. 2008
    Four temporary protective shelters built over five churches

    UNESCO's 2021 state of conservation page states that four temporary shelters were erected in 2008 over five of the eleven churches, with the Committee's reluctant agreement and a condition of eventual dismantling. The 2023 page says a formal analysis found they do not meet current safety standards under extreme wind.

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  3. 2018-05-20/2018-05-25
    UNESCO/ICOMOS/ICCROM advisory mission

    An advisory mission visited 20-25 May 2018. Its report said most monuments were considered to be in critical condition and that the shelters lacked a formal inspection or maintenance regime. The 2019 Committee decision 43 COM 7B.105 commended Ethiopia for inviting the mission.

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  4. 2021-08-05
    Tigrayan forces reportedly take Lalibela

    Al Jazeera, citing residents who spoke to AFP, reported that Tigray rebels seized Lalibela without a fight; officials did not confirm the takeover.

    Sources: Al Jazeera

  5. 2021-08-06
    UNESCO expresses deep concern about the expansion of the conflict to Lalibela

    UNESCO said it had 'deep concern about the reports on the expansion of the conflict to the city of Lalibela', called for respect of international legal obligations including refraining from any act that may expose the property to damage, and urged precautions against looting.

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  6. 2021-12-12
    Tigrayan forces reportedly retake Lalibela

    Al Jazeera, relaying Reuters and AFP reporting based on residents, said Tigrayan fighters had retaken the town less than two weeks after government forces and allies said they had taken it. Al Jazeera did not independently confirm the report.

    Sources: Al Jazeera

  7. 2022-05-23/2022-05-28
    UNESCO assessment mission

    UNESCO's 2023 state of conservation page records an assessment mission from 23 to 28 May 2022, following an information mission in January 2022. Decision 45 COM 7B.35 welcomed the May 2022 mission, organised 'following the end of the armed conflict'.

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  8. 2023
    World Heritage Committee decision 45 COM 7B.35 on Lalibela

    At its extended 45th session the Committee said there was not yet enough data to confirm what impact shelters have, treated shelters as an evolving solution to be reassessed through monitoring and community feedback, asked for small-scale pilot tests on bamboo as a structural element and for stabilizing anchors against extreme wind uplift, and asked for an updated report by 1 December 2024. The month of the decision was not stated in the pages read.

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  9. 2023-10-18
    Emergency project for Lalibela's intangible cultural heritage begins implementation

    UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund page lists a US$150,000 emergency project, granted in 2023 and implemented by the Ethiopian Heritage Authority with a local association from 18 October 2023 to 18 October 2027. It states that traditional church schools in Lalibela and surrounding areas were temporarily closed due to ongoing conflicts in northern Ethiopia and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Sources: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

  10. 2023-11-08
    Fighting between Fano fighters and the army in Lalibela

    Al Jazeera, citing AFP and residents, reported that Fano fighters took much of the town on 8 November and that the Ethiopian army regained control on 9 November. A government spokesperson told Reuters the city was peaceful. A deacon told Reuters a metal shelter protecting one church was hit three times by stray gunfire. African Arguments later reported, citing residents, bullet strikes on the iron legs of a shelter near Biete Medhani Alem. Media access was severely restricted and details were unclear.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, The African Mirror (republishing Reuters), African Arguments

  11. 2025
    World Heritage Committee decision 47 COM 7B.155 on Lalibela

    The Committee noted that the security situation has allowed only ad-hoc interventions so far, welcomed a new architectural competition on alternative shelter options, noted new doubts about bamboo as a structural material, encouraged a monitoring system to define environmental equilibrium for each of the 11 churches before supporting the idea of permanent shelters, and asked for an updated state of conservation report by 1 December 2026.

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

  12. 2026-07-03/2026-07-04
    UNESCO-organised visit by diplomats and development partners

    UNESCO's Addis Ababa Liaison Office organised a two-day visit attended by more than 70 representatives from over 40 embassies, UN organisations and development partners. UNESCO's account highlights recovery efforts after COVID-19 and recent setbacks to tourism and livelihoods.

    Sources: UNESCO

  13. 2026-09-24
    Flights to Lalibela suspended amid fighting nearby

    Reuters reported, citing seven sources, that flights to Lalibela were suspended because of nearby fighting, and quoted a diplomatic source saying fighting was around the town but not inside it yet. AFP separately reported receiving reports of fighting in Lalibela and a foreign security source saying airport flights were suspended. Neither report mentions damage to the churches.

    Sources: Sowetan (republishing Reuters), Arab News (republishing AFP)

Digital Preservation Index

Overall coverage: Moderate — Documented in several categories, with some notable gaps.

Two of the five categories have evidence that was opened and is publicly viewable, which gives the moderate tier by the rubric. Photographic: UNESCO's gallery for the property is public and spans several pages (12 images on the page read; credits include UNESCO/Francesco Bandarin, M & G Therin Weise and Ko Hon Chiu Vincent); this is a gallery of the property, not a systematic archive. Academic: the 2001 photogrammetric recording of Bet Giorgis is documented in scholarly publications, but those describe a single church and do not make a model available. Not counted: archival_records (UNESCO's own mission and state of conservation reports are not a digitised archive of the site); 3d_documentation (a Sketchfab page titled 'Beta Giorgis (textured), Lalibela, Ethiopia' describes a 2019 model from 32 terrestrial scans and 705 images drawn from 2005-2009 laser scanning of the churches, but the uploader and an interactive viewer could not be confirmed in this pass, so it is not counted; if confirmed it would add a category and the tier would remain moderate); virtual_tour (none found; a touring physical exhibition by Archeovision and the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism and Culture was found but is not an online virtual tour). Coverage is therefore uneven and, for 3D and scholarship, building-level at most. 'Moderate' reflects what is publicly findable, not necessarily what exists in unpublished archives.

Law and commitments

Sources