Italian Architecture in Eritrea

Futuristic buildings in the Horn of Africa

May 7, 2016 5:00 pm

Once known as “Miami in Africa,” Asmara is a city peppered with modernist architecture. In the early 20th century, Italian architects were commissioned to experiment in the Eritrean city at the far reaches of the Italian empire. Futuristic designs began sprouting up throughout the city in the Horn of Africa. Today, preservationists are looking to have these buildings collectively protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dr. Edward Denison argues for UNESCO status in his book on Asmara’s architecture. Take a look at some of them below. Click here for more pictures via Dr. Denison.

Fiat Tagliero Building (Andrew McConnell/robertharding) St Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral (Edward Denison) Caserma Mussolini, now the Bank of Eritrea. (Edward Denison) Capri Bar (Edward Denison) Bar Zilli (Edward Denison)

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