Eritrea Asmara, frozen city. (58 images)

Asmara, the frozen city
Have you ever heard of Asmara before? In the 1930's, this capital of Erythrea, this tiny and secret country of the African Horn, was the
modernest city of Africa and it's still one of the most entrancing cities of the
Black continent. For many travellers it's a big surprise to discover a slick city crammed with architectural gems, a showcase of the Art Deco, cubist, expressionist, functionalist, futurist and neoclassical arcitectural styles. more »

Asmara, the frozen city
Have you ever heard of Asmara before? In the 1930's, this capital of Erythrea, this tiny and secret country of the African Horn, was the
modernest city of Africa and it's still one of the most entrancing cities of the
Black continent. For many travellers it's a big surprise to discover a slick city crammed with architectural gems, a showcase of the Art Deco, cubist, expressionist, functionalist, futurist and neoclassical arcitectural styles.
Mussolini and his fascist government who aimed to annex the neighbouring country of Ethiopia developed Asmara between 1934 and 1940, expending enormous funds. The city, which is situated at an altitude of 2400 m, even
called itself "Piccola Roma". The most developed city of the continent emerged as a result of large scale urban planning and the latest
architectonic inventions built by talented young italian architects. The Italian population was increased from 4000 to 70 000 at this period and the native population doubled to 200 000. Isolated for nearly 30 years during its war against Ethiopia; Asmara escaped both the trend to build postcolonial piles and the push towards developing world urbanisation. today asmara remains
a model Art deco town. Since 2005, an official application for status as part of the Unesco World cultural heritage programme has been under assesment. In Erythrea, one of the poorest country in the world, times are hard but goof natured hedonism heritated from Italia has both vanished in Asmara. As in Italy, the Asmarinos (inhabitants of asmara) dont miss the daily ritual of "passegiata". All terraces and cafes fill up with chatering locals, sipping cappuccino and macchiatos and promenades up and down Harnet avenue. Women are dressed to kill and the elegant, classy gentlemen are wearing well cut seats, sunglasses and Borsalino hats !
« less