Early 12th Century Frescoes in Bet Maryam, St. Mary's Church, Lalibela, Ethiopia, Africa *** Local Caption *** Lalibela and its rock-hewn churches rank among the greatest religio-historical sites not only in Africa but in the Christian World

Pilgrim sits in early morning sun reading his Holy Bible at entrance doors to Bet Maryam church (St. Mary's), believed to be the oldest rock hewn church in Lalibela, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lalibela, Ethiopia, Africa

A padlock on a wooden door, Bet Maryam (Church of St. Mary) in Lalibela, Ethiopia

Rock hewn monolithic church of Bet Maryam (Church of St. Mary) in Lalibela, Ethiopia

A man rests on a bench inside the rock hewn monolithic church of Bet Maryam (Church of St. Mary) in Lalibela, Ethiopia

Portrait of an Ethiopian woman outside of the rock hewn monolithic church of Bet Maryam (Church of St. Mary) in Lalibela, Ethiopia

Priest in front of St. Maryam Church

People in front of St. Maryam Church

People in front of St. Maryam Church