World Heritage

Ethiopia's UNESCO Sites

13 UNESCO World Heritage sites — 9 cultural, 2 natural, and 2 mixed — tracing 3,000 years of human civilization.

Rock-Hewn Churches of LalibelaCultural
Amhara Region · 1978

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Eleven medieval monolithic churches carved downward into solid volcanic rock in the 12th–13th centuries. Still in active use as a pilgrimage site.

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Simien National ParkNatural
Amhara Region · 1978

Simien National Park

Ethiopia's dramatic highlands, home to the endemic Gelada baboon, Walia ibex, and Ras Dashen — the country's highest peak.

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Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar RegionCultural
Amhara Region · 1979

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region

A 17th-century royal enclosure of castles, palaces, and churches built by Emperor Fasilides — often called the 'Camelot of Africa.'

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AksumCultural
Tigray Region · 1980

Aksum

Ancient capital of the Aksumite Empire, home to towering stone obelisks, royal tombs, and the legendary Church of St. Mary of Zion.

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Lower Valley of the AwashCultural
Afar Region · 1980

Lower Valley of the Awash

One of the most important archaeological sites in Africa. The discovery of Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) here reshaped our understanding of human origins.

Lower Valley of the OmoCultural
South Omo Zone · 1980

Lower Valley of the Omo

Prehistoric site with fossils dating back 4 million years, and home to over 16 ethnic groups preserving ancient traditions today.

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TiyaCultural
SNNPR · 1980

Tiya

A field of 36 ancient stelae carved with enigmatic symbols, marking an ancient Ethiopian culture.

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Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (Extended)Cultural
Amhara Region · 1978

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (Extended)

The northern cluster including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha — additions to the UNESCO listing.

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Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic TownCultural
Harari Region · 2006

Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town

Ethiopia's walled city — fourth holiest city of Islam — with 82 mosques, 102 shrines, and the nightly hyena feeding ritual.

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Konso Cultural LandscapeCultural
SNNPR · 2011

Konso Cultural Landscape

A 400-year-old terraced landscape shaped by the Konso people, with waga burial statues and fortified hilltop villages.

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Lalibela (Extended Listing)Cultural
Amhara Region · 1978

Lalibela (Extended Listing)

Additional monuments in the Lalibela cluster, including Bete Amanuiel and Bete Abba Libanos.

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Lake Tana MonasteriesCultural
Amhara Region · 2006

Lake Tana Monasteries

Ancient island monasteries on the source of the Blue Nile, home to centuries-old murals and manuscripts.

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Bale Mountains National ParkNatural
Oromia Region · 2023

Bale Mountains National Park

Ethiopia's premier alpine wilderness, home to the world's rarest canid — the Ethiopian Wolf — and the endemic Mountain Nyala.

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