Portrait of a monk in one of the numerous churches in Lalibela. Settled 2,600m high in the Lasta Mountains of Northern Ethiopia and home to eleven rock-hewn monolithic churches, Lalibela is revered as one of the world’s greatest and most magnificent architectural achievements. These churches were all carved down into the earth out of a single block of red volcanic rock. It is said in local history that after seeing Jerusalem taken by the Muslims in 1187, King Lalibela commissioned these churches to be built with the intention of having Lalibela serve as a new Jerusalem.
Born and raised in a little village in the Italian Alps, now based in Barcelona, Mauro already felt from young age the desire to tell. He discovered that the camera was the right tool for him, the eye through which he could speak to the world. An instrument that began to walk by his side towards a long journey of discovery.
“Although it is difficult to express, I think that the photograph represents my way of speaking and what I try to do through my language is to capture the sense of what I breathe and touch with my hands".
Awards 2nd prize in 'PEOPLE' category of IPOTY - International Photographer of the Year 2017
5 Honorable Mentions on 17th INTERNATIONAL CHROMATIC PHOTO AWARDS 2017
Jurors Picks LensCulture Portrait Awards 2018
2nd prize 2017 Tokyo International Foto Awards
Finalist American Photo Awards 2018
2nd Winner National Geographic Award (Italian) 2017
1st Category Winner FIIPA Award 2018
3rd place ND AWARDS 2017
1st category Winner Urbanphotoawards 2017
1st Winner National Geographic Award (Italian) 2018
