Fasil Ghebbi Restored: Ethiopia’s Heritage Fortress Enters a New Chapter

October 28, 2018

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, First Lady Zinash Tayachew, and senior government officials today inaugurated the newly restored Fasil Ghebbi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gondar.

The extensive restoration, completed in less than a year, has revitalized the 17th-century fortress while meticulously preserving its architectural integrity and cultural significance.

The project involved structural repairs to royal palaces, upgraded walkways, and careful rehabilitation of key historical buildings using traditional materials such as cedar and wattle. Restorers paid special attention to landmarks including the palaces of Emperors Fasil, Yohannes I, and Lej Iyasu, as well as bridges, bathing areas, and ceremonial gates.

Visitor facilities have also been significantly improved, featuring a new tourist center, modern toilets, better lighting, and upgraded security systems. Over 40,000 square meters of landscaping have transformed the site into a more inviting space for visitors.

Once a bustling center of handicrafts, literature, and music, Fasil Ghebbi now stands renewed as a symbol of Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage. The restoration reflects the government’s strategic commitment to cultural preservation, tourism development, and national pride.