Means: 'House of Emmanuel'.

Carved out of the rock Biete Amanuel sits in its own hewn courtyard in Lalibela.

Some have suggested it was the royal familys private chapel. It perfectly replicates the style of Aksumite buildings. The most striking feature of the interior is the double Aksumite frieze.
Although not accessible, there is a staircase to an upper gallery. In the southwest corner, a hole in the floor leads to a subterranean tunnel that connects the church to Bet Merkorios.
The chambers in the walls are the graves of pilgrims who requested to be buried here.