Turkish house
In a square beyond the Banco is a rare example of a Turkish house with a domed roof, now partially restored.
Bell Tower
The tallest structure in Asmara, the narrow, Gothic Bell Tower offers unrivalled views over the town.
Ministry of Education
Adjacent to the elegent Opera House, the Ministry of Education, with its massive stepped tower, is strikingly austere.
coral
Near the port entrance there is a good example of a 17th-century coral-block house. For centuries, coral was the local building stone.
Shaafi Mosque
Turn back towards the port entrance, passing by the Shaafi Mosque. Founded in the 11th century but rebuilt several times since, its worth a quick look.
Opera House
Within staggering distance from the Governors Palace, the Opera House, completed around 1920, is one of Asmaras most elegant early-20th-century buildings.
Villa Roma
Opposite the Africa Pension, the gleaming Villa Roma is reminiscent of a Roman villa with its marble staircases, louvred shutters, curving balustrades and shady portico.
Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral
The Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral, to the east, was built in 1938 and is a curious blend of Italian and Eritrean architecture. Its central block is flanked by large square towers.
Great Mosque
Thread your way back from the Medebar Market to the south until you reach the Great Mosque. Completed in 1938, this grand complex combines rationalist, classical and Islamic styles.
Bowling Alley
A block south of the Municipality building, the Bowling Alley is one of the few genuine 1950s alleys left in the world. It was probably built for US servicemen when they were manning military bases in the region.
Banco dItalia
Heading back towards the causeway, youll pass the Banco dItalia, an exact copy of its 1920s original and a mishmash of styles, including Gothic windows and towers. Unfortunately, the building is dilapidated and awaits restoration.
Catholic Cathedral
Ambling down Harnet Ave youll soon come across Asmaras most iconic monument, the elaborate, brick-walled Catholic cathedral. Consecrated in 1923, it is thought to be one of the finest Lombard-Romanesque-style churches outside Italy.
Central Market
North of Harnet Ave, the sprawling Central Market is one of Asmaras major attractions. The best time to visit is early on Saturday (from 07:00), when people come in from all over the country. However, it was pretty tame when we visited because of the economic downturn in the countr
House of Mammub Mohammed Nahari
As you keep heading towards the port, youll come across the ancient House of Mammub Mohammed Nahari with soaring Ottoman-style windows on every side. Unfortunately, they are particularly decrepit. Around this area are some large and ornate 18th-century Armenian and Jewish merchant
Villa Melotti
At the southern tip of the island is the beautiful 1930s Villa Melotti, built by the owners of the Asmara brewery. With its stunning setting on the seafront, gardens and swimming pools, it has the decadent grandeur of a Fellini film set. Unfortunately, its not possible to go near t
National Museum
Asmaras strong point are its buildings, rather than its museums, but its also worth popping your head into the National Museum, west of the former Governors Palace. It contains exhibits on the ethnic groups of Eritrea that give a basic introduction to traditional life in the countr
Campo
Passing through the Piazza degli Incendi, notice the small group of coral-block houses with finely detailed façades on your right. Then turn left into the Campo, a huge square lined on all sides by houses with trellised balconies, finely carved wooden doors and shutters of Turkish
House of Abu Hamdum
On your right, about 150m from the port entrance, is the House of Abu Hamdum, with its mashrabiyya (trellised) balcony, which allowed cool breezes to enter and the air inside to circulate. Its a remarkable example of Turkish Ottoman architecture, but it is almost crumbling and need
Massawa Island
Possibly the most interesting of the three main neighbourhoods in the city of Massawa, Massawa Island is the site of the port and the old town. Its an astounding blend of Egyptian, Turkish and Italo-Moorish architecture. The buildings are made of coral rock with mashrabeya (wooden
Former Governors Palace
The best place to start exploring is the Former Governors Palace, which stands majestically at the western end of Harnet Ave. Built in 1897 by the first Italian governor, it was used by Haile Selassie during the Ethiopian occupation. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to v
