The Beta Maryam is part of the 11 rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia, and is one of three churches contained in a courtyard that can only be accessed via a tunnel from the Bet Medhade Alem. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is the only church with porches extending off it. The eastern wall of the church contains two sets of three windows which represent the Holy Trinity, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the two sinners, one going to hell and the other to heaven. The interior ceilings and upper walls are covered in early fresco paintings, and the arches, columns, and capital are covered with beautifully detailed carvings. The centre part of the church contains a holy column that is inscribed in Ge'ez, Hebrew and Greek and is permanently kept wrapped in cloth.