Help restore Haile Selassie I's legacy in sacred Lalibela, Ethiopia

Nearly 100 years ago, on 2 November 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I. While emperor, he initiated construction of the Seven Olives Hotel in Lalibela, Ethiopia - the first hotel built to welcome pilgrims, dignitaries and visitors to the ancient rock-hewn churches.

The hotel still stands as part of his living legacy, but it has been forced to close due to the urgent need for repairs.

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Bridging Histories Ethiopia have been asked by the Ethiopia Orthodox Church to support Lalibela Legacy Tours as they lead on restoring a unique heritage space, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of Emperor Selassie I, and local youth can learn about his legacy.

The Seven Olives Hotel was created under the direction of the Emperor's granddaughter, Princess Hirut (Ruth) Desta, who was personally sent to Lalibela by the Emperor to oversee its construction. The hotel opened in the mid-1960s toeceive Queen Elizabeth II, along with pilgrims and visiting dignitaries. It symbolized a new era of Ethiopian hospitality rooted in faith, vision, and connection to the sacred rock-hewn churches nearby.

The renovated Seven Olives will be a museum as well as a hotel, welcoming guests from around the world to gather in peace and meditation, and enjoy being in the presence of artefacts from the life of the Emperor, in a beautiful and sacred mountain site beside Lalibela's ancient rock-hewn churches.

Local people tell how artefacts once held here were hidden in the hills for safekeeping during times of conflict; now we seek to bring them home, honor the Emperor’s legacy, and renew the spirit of welcome he and Princess Hirut embodied. The restoration will reopen Lalibela’s historic gateway for pilgrims, travelers, and seekers — a house of gathering for the world.

The hotel has 28 rooms and a beautiful roundhouse housing a restaurant, with domed and decorated ceiling. Restoration is needed throughout the hotel complex.

The first phase of the campaign will fund the heritage planning and architectural groundwork needed to begin restoration: detailed building surveys, conservation and engineering assessments, a heritage-management plan, and architectural drawings for the renewed museum and guest spaces.

These steps will ensure that future restoration work proceeds with integrity and respect for Lalibela’s unique cultural fabric.

By supporting Phase 1, donors become founding partners in a centenary vision — to keep this House of Peace alive for generations to come.

"This project means a lot to me because it’s not only about rebuilding a historic place, but also about keeping the memory and legacy of Emperor Haile Selassie I alive for future generations. The Seven Olives has always been a symbol of peace, culture, and faith, and I’m proud to be part of the effort to bring it back to life."

Lalibela Legacy Tours leads the restoration of Emperor Haile Selassie I's historic landmark in partnership with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Lalibela, UK partner Bridging Histories CIC, academics from the University of Bristol, and Royal Roots Studio Africa along with a growing network of partners around the world.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church owns the hotel, which was gifted to the church by the Emperor. The Church leaders and monks are working along with ministers to support the renovation. They have selected Lalibela Legacy Tours and Bridging Histories CIC to lead the restoration.

Bridging Histories was launched as a spin-off consultancy from the University of Bristol in 2021, and specializes in peer-to-peer inclusive community engagement, cultural heritage education, sustainability and community development. Bridging Histories supports positive grassroots changemaking by everyday people, of any age and background, from all around the world. It brings expertise in place-making and contested heritage, and lends academic expertise to supporting this project.

Donations to this crowd-funder will be held by UK partner Bridging Histories CIC, who will manage and transfer the funds to pay for the work in Lalibela, in accordance with agreed memorandums of understanding with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

In 2026, Royal Roots Studio Africa will launch the next phase of fundraising with a benefit concert in Ethiopia with international artists, where you'll have a chance to gather, experience Lalibela's ancient sites and see the Seven Olives site for yourself.

Join us on this incredible journey, and we thank you for your generous donations to help achieve this first phase of restoration.