From Exile to Homecoming: Rediscovering Massawa's Urban Heritage

An Eritrean civil initiative that seeks to document and protect the urban heritage of the ancient city of Massawa and spread awareness about it. Its idea was launched by the Samhar Cultural Association in Stockholm, Sweden in February 2020, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Massawa from the Ethiopian occupation

The goal of the initiative

The inscription of the ancient city of Massawa (the city of urban diversity in Africa) on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)


Stages and objectives of the initiative

  1. Launching the idea of the initiative: The idea of the initiative was launched in Stockholm, Sweden, in February 2020, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the city’s liberation from the Ethiopian occupation.
  2. Teamwork Composition: A specialized founding working group has been formed for the initiative.
  3. Formation of the old city of Massawa Body group: Work to form this group is currently ongoing
  4. Institutional building of the initiative: The initiative was registered as a non-governmental organization in Norway at the end of 2023.

Stages of implementing the initiative Establishment stage

stages of implementation

First stage:

1. Identifying the boundary of the concerned area to be protected. The historic city of Massawa has been identified in the old city on the island of Bazie, the Sahaba Mosque, and the Saraya Palace on Twalut Island.

2.Determining a preliminary list of the most important historical buildings to be protected A preliminary list of buildings of the historical and artistic value has been established in the city.