Abstract
It is important to carry out research into historical architecture before buildings are lost to demolition or decay, a risk that is particularly great in rapidly growing developing countries. The historic town of Gondar, Ethiopia, has a wealth of historical architecture, including a palace that is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage property, as well as traditional houses and Italian-style buildings constructed during the Italian occupation. These buildings have been examined, but the research has not been thorough enough. In my previous research, I looked at the construction of these buildings, and described details such as the distribution of the buildings, their ownership and uses, their height and current condition and how they are being preserved. Here, I focus on the methods and materials used in the construction of Gondar′s Italian-style buildings, and attempt to clarify their features, any damage they have incurred, and the key issues involved in their preservation.
