Lalibela is one of the most impressive human accomplishments I have ever seen. Lalibela consists of 11 rock-hewn churches that were constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. These churches stand about 43 feet high and were freed from the rock with just hammers and chisels. You are allowed to walk inside the churches and marvel at the complex detailing on the windows, columns, and roofs. The churches are still in use by priests and their apprentices. The layout of the churches is understood to be a symbolic representation of Jerusalem. Lalibela has become a pilgrimage site for many Ethiopian Orthodox believers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.