CONTEXT
The National Palace is the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. It was built in 1955 to mark the Emperor's Silver Jubilee. The National Palace was the last residence of Emperor Haile Selassie I, who was overthrown in 1974.
With a sober style, the Palace is a neoclassical building, marked by a deep Art Deco influence. The bas-reliefs on the main façade illustrate the history of Ethiopia. Together with the gardens that surround it, it is a major heritage site of great cultural, historical and aesthetic interest.
The project aims to transform the Palace into a museum to develop a tourist activity.
DESCRIPTIVE
The objective of this project is to ensure the preservation and restoration of the National Palace building as well as the enhancement of the park. Thanks to the support of a French architect, a specialist in historical monuments, the site will remain protected while being able to accommodate a large public.
A scientific and cultural program accompanied the transformation of the palace. The collections will be enhanced and protected with the support of experts from the public establishment of the Palace of Versailles.
Finally, the project contributes to strengthening Ethiopian skills in urban heritage management. It will also allow the creation of an adequate institution for the management of the palace, supported by a sustainable economic model and more functional governance.
IMPACTS
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To enhance the historical and cultural heritage of Ethiopia.
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To support cultural development, a vector of growth and a generator of jobs, particularly in the cultural tourism sector.
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To create a world-class cultural and heritage institution, whose scientific and cultural agenda, management and governance will be defined in a sustainable and inclusive way for diverse audiences.
Extract from the project sheet "Addis Ababa: renovation and opening to the public of the National Palace" written by the French Development Agency.
