Fasil Ghebbi restoration and city revitalization reflect Gondar’s long-awaited rebirth

Addis Ababa, November 8, 2025 (FMC) – Speaker of the House of Federation, Mr. Agegnehu Teshager, said the restoration of Fasil Ghebbi — the royal enclosure of Emperor Fasilides — and the revitalization of Gondar’s historic corridors reflect the long-awaited revival of one of Ethiopia’s most iconic cities.

Mr. Agegnehu was part of the high-level delegation that traveled to Amhara region as part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Amhara region. On the occasion, PM Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the newly restored Fasil Ghebbi in Gondar city.

Commenting on the restoration of the historic medieval age fortress and development works in Gondar city, Mr. Agegnehu underscored that Gondar, one of Ethiopia’s oldest and most historically significant cities, had long been neglected by previous administrations in the past decades.

He said the recent restoration of Fasil Ghebbi preserves its architectural and cultural heritage while transforming it into a world-class tourist destination befitting the legacy of Gondar.

He recalled that Fasil Ghebbi, once at risk of damage, was among the key heritage sites prioritized by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed under his flagship “Dine for Nation” initiative. The large-scale restoration, he said, has given new life to the monument and renewed Gondar’s image as a cultural and tourism hub.

“Restoring Fasil Ghebbi in a way that preserves its identity and makes it accessible to global visitors is a sign of Gondar’s reawakening,” he stated.

Having been born and raised only a few tens of kilometers away from Gondar, the Upper House Speaker also highlighted the progress of the Megech Irrigation Development Project, noting that the dam has reached a key milestone and begun holding water as directed by the Prime Minister.

Once completed, he said, the project will irrigate about 30,000 hectares of farmland, address the city’s drinking water shortage, and create broad opportunities for agro-industrial development in the area.

Mr. Agegnehu further commended the corridor development works being carried out across Gondar, emphasizing that the urban renewal efforts are being executed in a manner that maintains the city’s historical integrity while improving its livability.

He also praised the Gorgora Eco Lodge, developed under the Prime Minister’s “Dine for Ethiopia” initiative, as a major new tourism destination and a center for conferences in the region. The facility, he said, will complement the broader tourism and economic transformation now underway in the northern corridor of Lake Tana.

Mr. Agegnehu concluded that the ongoing restoration, infrastructure, and tourism initiatives collectively symbolize Gondar’s rebirth as a vibrant heritage and economic center — one that bridges its royal past with a promising future.