Addis Ababa, November 7, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed praised ongoing urban development and heritage restoration works in Gondar city, saying they reflect the city’s determined journey toward rebirth and offer tangible hope for the next generation.
He made the remarks during the inauguration of the restored Fasil Ghebbi, the royal fortress that served as the residence of Ethiopian emperors from the 1640s to 1864.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the restoration of the Fasilides Castles, launched in 2024 under his “Dine for Nation” initiative, has revitalized the heart of Gondar city. The works combined traditional craftsmanship with modern conservation techniques, restoring the castles’ grandeur while improving accessibility, visitor facilities, and the overall urban environment.
Abiy said Fasil Ghebbi represents a national treasure that had long been neglected. He emphasized that Ethiopia’s underdevelopment has partly resulted from a tendency to overlook the accomplishments of past generations, and stressed the importance of appreciating and building upon historical achievements.
The Prime Minister observed that one of the country’s recurring challenges has been a tendency to belittle the great while elevating the small, undermining achievements that should serve as foundations for growth. He said that when past greatness is honored and examined, it becomes possible to build upon it, whereas neglecting it limits progress and weakens long-term development.
He further noted that societies that remember their history can use it as a foundation for contemporary advancement, while those that fail to link past achievements with present efforts lose critical guidance for progress.
Abiy said the combination of urban renewal and the restoration of Fasil Ghebbi gives the youth of Gondar tangible hope. He said they are witnessing visible transformation that not only inspires belief in a better future but also allows them to participate in building it.
Addressing Gondar’s youth, the Prime Minister emphasized that the city’s future is bright. He said their ancestors built the foundations of the city, the current generation has worked to preserve it, and now the youth have the responsibility and opportunity to create a more prosperous and beautiful Gondar.
The Prime Minister called on the residents of Gondar to unite behind the city’s renewal, stressing that collective effort is essential to ensuring the city’s rebirth. He also described the restoration of Fasil Ghebbi as more than simple repair, calling it a rebirth of the royal compound and expressing the aspiration to see similar revitalization across the entire city.
He highlighted corridor development and other urban improvement works within the city as integral components of Gondar’s transformation. According to the Prime Minister, if these initiatives are supported and completed, the beauty and progress seen in Fasil Ghebbi can extend throughout the city.
Abiy noted that even if Ethiopians hold differing views on other matters, there is a need for a unified approach to restoring Gondar to its former glory. He said this collective commitment would ensure that the city, like the restored fortress, can stand as a symbol of Ethiopia’s resilience and vision for the future.
Fasil Ghebbi, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, served as the royal residence of Emperor Fasilides and his successors. Surrounded by a 900-meter-long wall, the site comprises palaces, churches, monasteries, and distinctive architectural structures. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The Amharic word “Ghebbi” means “compound” or “enclosure.”