Rock Hewn Churches and Temples
It’s really quite amazing how much effort the heavenly inspired will go to, in order to build incredibly astounding places of worship. If you travel to the northern part of Ethiopia, however, you will see just how striking these efforts can be. Lalibela is home to 11 UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches and, remarkably, their exact date of construction remains a mystery even to this day. The Ellora Cave Temples of north-western India are likewise revered for their intricate carvings and unbelievable extensive size, and in the Near East is where you can cast your eyes on arguably the most striking rock-hewn temple of all: the Treasury in Petra. This ancient Jordanian city and worship ground, first established in 300BC, is one of the most visually stunning wonders on earth and home to several temples and burial grounds, hewn entirely out of the side of the burnt-red sandstone hills. The Treasury’s facade stands at 39 metres and is over 25 metres wide.
Rock Hewn Churches of Goreme, Cappadocia
![Rock Hewn Churches in the open air museum of Goreme, Cappadocia](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Rock-Hewn-Churches-in-the-open-air-museum-of-Goreme-Cappadocia.jpg)
Goa Gajah, Indonesia
![Goa Gajah, Indonesia](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Goa-Gajah-Indonesia.jpg)
Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram, India
![Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram, India](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Pancha-Rathas-Mahabalipuram-India.jpg)
Dazu Rock Carvings, China
![Dazu Rock Carvings, China](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Dazu-Rock-Carving-China.jpg)
Palais Ideal, France
![Palais Ideal, France](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Palais-Ideal-France.jpg)
The Church of St. George in Lalibela Ethiopia
![The Church of St. George in Lalibela Ethiopia](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Church-of-St.-George-in-Lalibela-Ethiopia.jpg)
Geghard Monastery, Armenia
![Geghard Monastery, Armenia](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Geghard-Monastery-Armenia.jpg)
Ad Deir, The Monastery Temple of Petra, Jordan
![Ad Deir, The Monastery Temple of Petra, Jordan](https://www.textbooktravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Web-Ad-Deir-The-Monastery-Temple-of-Petra-Jordan.jpg)