Mountains and Highvelds: Aksum and Zagwe Dynasty of the Lalibella Complex
Project Researcher: RRA
Collaborator: Adjaye Associates
This research project was part of a series of research initiated in collaboration with the architectural practice Adjaye Associates. The research investigated the architectures and history of the Earth-hewn Lalibella church complex of Ethiopia, currently a World Heritage Site and colloquially called the “eighth wonder of the world”. RRA began its investigation within the historical and societal context of the Aksum dynasty which intertwined with an analysis into the region’s mountainous climate, it’s spiritual context, and the 12th century arrival of King Lalibela who was said to have received the blueprint for the 11 churches from a divine visitation of an angel. In this vision, he was said to have been instructed by God to construct the “New Jersulam”.
The research by RRA analysed in detail the building techniques of each of the Earth-hewn churches; the stories behind them; and the notion of what it means to build on a mountain which is a height that symbolically connects to divinity and spirituality.