The Administration of Italian Buildings & Holdings in Gondar Town (1941-1974)

Abstract

The city of Gondar was established in 1636 as permanent seat for the Christian Kingdom. Italians also made Gondar in their five year occupation in the country a major city by building of more than 352 houses with new master plan for the first time. Between 1936 and 1941 Gondar was decorated with Italian buildings and architectural designs that laid the foundation for the present master plan.  It is perplexing how members of the royal family took all holdings found in Gondar after liberation. The main objective of this study is to investigate how Hayle Silassie I  appropriated Italian buildings in Gondar town for his personal benefits. So far, this peculiar event has not been studied by any historian or professional to this date. In conducting this study,  the researcher consulted pertinent archives at North Gondar Zone Administrative office. In addition, attempts have been made to gather qualitative data through interviews and  critical review of published and unpublished literatures. The study reveals that from morrow of liberation, it was patriots’ lack of political nerve which allowed Hayle Selasie I and his families to seize  Italians’ buildings and holdings including lands and houses as “enemy’s property†and enabled them to utilize it as their own throughout the period (1941-1974. The officials enjoyed and led luxurious life at Gondar and Addis Ababa without facing the troubles of daily hardwork. Their only duties were the collection of tribute from peasants, and follow ups on the sources of threats and security issues etc. As these officials left the city following the down fall of  Hayle Silassie I’s regime in 1974, the Derg confiscated and nationalized all their belongings including those Italian buildings.