UNESCO Registered Sites of Ethiopia

Axum

The ancient city of Axum is located in Tigrai Region. The massive ruins, dating from between the 1st and the 13th century A.D., include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles. Axum and its archeological sites were inscribed in the List of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980.

The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Lalibela is located in the Amhara Region. Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela date back to the 13th century at the time of King Lalibela, who is believed to have commissioned these structures. The churches are hewn from red volcanic rock. Four of the churches are attached to their mother rock only at the base, while other churches have parts attached to the parent rock. Lalibela still has big value among Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and it is also one of the pilgrimage sites in Ethiopia. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were put in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1978.

Fasil Ghebbi

Gondar is located in the Amhara Region. Emperor Fasiledes founded Gonder in 1636 with an intent to settle in a single capital, unlike his forefathers. Emperor Fasiledes has built the big castle, which is still called after him. There are actually other historic buildings as well which were built by Emperors who rained after him. Those buildings were in a royal compound called Fasil Ghebbi in Amaric. Fasil Ghebbi was inscribed in as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

Simien Mountains National Park

The Simien Mountains National Park is found in the Amhara Region. The site is located in the western Simen Mountains, 120 km northeast of Gondar. Two significant points about this site are: the park’s spectacular landscape is part of the Simien mountain massif and also it is of global significance for biodiversity conservation.The park was added to the list of World Heritage by UNESCO in 1978.

Awash Lower Valley

Awash Lower Valley is found in the Afar Regional State. The Awash Valley place in the research undertaken in the field of palaeontology. There remains found in the Awash Lower Valley. The oldest remains so far discovered date back at least 4 million years. “The hominid remains excavated there are characteristic of a unique type.” The Lower Valley of Awash was included in the list of World heritage sites in 1980.

Omo Lower Valley

The Lower Valley of Omo is found in South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State. Alike the Lower Awash Valley, hominid remains discovered in Omo Lower Valley have unique characteristics and have contributed in the study of human evolution. Omo Lower Valley was inscribed to a list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980.

Tiya

Tiya is found in the Soddo area in the South Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Regional State. According to an article by UNESCO, the site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols, “They are believed to be marks of the large prehistoric burial complex.” This archeological site joined the World Heritage Sites list in 1980.

Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town

Located at N9 18 32 E42 8 16 in Harari Region. Jugol, this wall was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Harar Jugol, is said to be the fourth holiest city of Islam according to an article from UNESCO. Harar Jugol bears exceptional testimony to cultural traditions related to Islamic and African roots. Harar Jugol is also an outstanding example of a type of architectural and urban ensemble. Furthermore, Harar Jugol with its surrounding landscape is an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement. Harar Jugol became part of World Heritage Sites in 2006.

Konso Cultural Landscape

UNESCO has added Konso Cultural Landscape to the list of World Heritage Sites. This place covers 55km2. It is a live demonstration of heritage which has an interwoven blend of landscape design, engineering, and natural conservation. Konso Cultural Landscape became a World Heritage Site in 2011. More on

Meskel [The finding of the true cross]

Meskel, one of the major Ethiopian Orthodox festivals is celebrated throughout the country for two days beginning September 26

th is one of UNSECO’s registered [2013 G.C] intangible heritage sites in Ethiopia. The day after the Demera is Meskel. Legend has it that in the year 326, Queen Helena (Empress Helen) the Mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the cross upon which Christ was crucified. A fragment of the True Cross is reputedly held at the Gishen Mariam, about 70 kilometers northwest of Dessie. Ethiopians have been celebrating this day for millennia. The best place to see the Meskel Festival is in the capital Addis Ababa at the famous Meskel Square. But all along the Historic route (Bahir Dar, Gonder, Axum, and Lalibela) and in other major towns, Meskel is colorfully celebrated.

UNESCO Inscribes Fitche-Chambalala as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage

Fiche-Chambalala, The very colorful traditional festival of New Year commencement of the Sidama People annually celebrated in the first week of July at Hawassa, the capital of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ State, was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2015. The festival held in 2015 was also meant to celebrate the first year of the inscription in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.