Preparations underway to renovate Aksum Obelisk, Lalibela Churches: Authority

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2023 (FBC) – Preparatory works are being carried out to renovate Aksum Obelisk and Lalibela Rock-Hewn churches by preserving their historical content, Ethiopian Heritage Authority disclosed.

The Aksum Obelisk and Lalibela Rock-Hewn churches are world heritages inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Director of Heritage Preservation and Protection at the Authority, Habtamu Abreha told ENA that a survey has been conducted to determine the status of the relics in the areas among which are Aksum Obelisk and Lalibela Churches.

As per the survey conducted in Aksum, it is observed that the Obelisk is bending in one direction due to natural and man-made problems, he added.

As a result, he mentioned that the federal government entered into a contract with an Italian contractor to repair the 31-meter-tall Obelisk of Aksum four years ago with a budget of 115 million birr.

However, Habtamu noted that when the contractor began transporting goods necessary for the renovation activities as per the contract, it was interrupted due to the advent of COVID-19 and war.

Now, preparations are being made to resume the contract and carry out the renovation work in the current fiscal year.

The contractor agreed to undertake the renovation works by preserving its historical content of the heritage.

He further stated that a study has also been conducted to restore Lalibela Rock-Hewn churches, per ENA.