About this place

Adadi Mariam is a unique church which was originally carved out of a single piece of rock in the 13th Century AD and it is still operational. Adadi Mariam was founded by the orders of the famous Ethiopian King Lalibela who carved more beautiful rock churches in the Northern Ethiopia at Lalibela town which is named after him.

Adadi Mariam is found 62 km south west of Addis Ababa past the towns of Alem Gena and Awash Melka. This rock church is totally detatched from the main (mother) rock in the four sides carved by hand some 800 years ago. The inside of the church has three divisons one inside the other. The outer section is for religious chanting, the middle for the holy service and where the comminion is given at, and the most central part is to keep the replica of the Ark of the Covenant.

Visit this unique and interesting church! 

Drive south west of Addis Ababa and take the left turn at Alem Gena town. After you drive 32 km more, turn right on the gravel road and drive 12 km.