While home to several archaeological and man-made cultural attractions, the ravages of war had brought significant damage to the Tigray regional state, with rehabilitation costs ballparked at 20 billion dollars last year by the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide.
The area around the Axum Obelisk, including the airport and several tourist attractions in Tigray, has suffered significant damages due to the two-year war, according to Atsbha G.Ebregziabher(PhD), head of the Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Atsbha revealed that training on the fundamentals of the hospitality industry was given to 420 individuals from Tigray over a two-day session in August by the Ministry alongside financial and material donations.
According to the bureau head, the Al Negashi mosque, the Emperor Yohannes museum, and the monasteries of Abune Pentallion, Abune Abraham, and Axum Tsion suffered the most significant damages.
“Theft and arson were common in these sites,” he told Fortune.
The Abune Penatllion monastery found atop May Qoho mountain northwest of Axum requires a four-phase restoration effort due to the devastating impact of heavy artillery used during the conflict, says Atsbaha.
He indicated that just the first phase required 5.7 million Br, pooled from the community to prevent the site from collapsing.
Atsbha revealed that plans to restore the Axum Obelisk to its former glory following donations by the Italian government had been delayed due to the war, which fueled growing anxiety over possible damage to the repair items.
