Biete Giorgis — the House of Saint George — is the most iconic image of Lalibela and the one most likely to appear on any poster advertising Ethiopia. It stands apart from the other ten churches, set within its own deep trench to the southwest of the main cluster. The roof, level with the surrounding plateau, is carved with a three-dimensional Greek cross motif repeated three times and fitting perfectly within each other — a feat of precision cutting in solid rock.
The exterior walls are equally decorative, with blind windows and carved cross panels. A narrow path descends into the trench, and the church door opens into a small, darkened interior where priests guard the sanctuary. The trench itself, some 12 metres deep, has carved niches along its walls containing the bodies of pilgrims who came to Lalibela to die and be buried as close as possible to Jerusalem. This church is still an active place of worship. Photography is permitted outside; inside, ask before pointing a camera at the priests or the altar.