Axum & Gondar World Heritage Sites

Site Planning & Conservation Activities at Axum and Gondar World Heritage Sites.

The Ethiopian Cultural Heritage Project (ECHP) aimed to strengthen the conservation and management of Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage. It supported comprehensive site planning, the preservation of archaeological sites and historic buildings, and the development of improved tools and information for conservation planning and risk mitigation.
Within this framework, the project financed the preparation of a conservation plan for the walled fortress-palace complex of Fasil Ghebbi in Gondar. This plan identified priorities for future conservation efforts, with particular attention to enhancing the social and economic benefits for the surrounding community. In parallel, targeted conservation works were carried out on selected historic structures. The initiative also included the creation of an interpretation and documentation center, alongside training and capacity-building activities designed to strengthen local expertise in site planning and heritage interpretation.
In Axum, the project supported site planning initiatives for the town’s archaeological areas, including the development of a new archaeological museum, which was under construction at the time. These efforts focused on improving the presentation and interpretation of the sites, ensuring that their historical significance was more effectively communicated and preserved.

From-To
2005 – 2008

Client
Ethiopian Tourism Commission

Funding
World Bank