Asmara

Asmara is one of the picturesque and cleanest capitals of
Africa. The Italians called it the "second Rome"
during the colonalization. For most of the eritreen people
Asmara is not only the capital. Their Capital city is like a
beautiful woman; the "Asmerino" of the song of the
fifties. Before the colonization in 1889 by Italians Asmara
was just an area with many small villages on the
plateaus in the highlands. In 1897 the first italian gover-
nor moved the capital city from Massawa to Asmara,
designed by Italian art deco architects, as you can see
up to now as well.

 


The capital lies on an altitude of 2,400 metres and offers
a climate of eternal spring with a mean annual
temperature of 17 degrees. The hottest months here are
April to May with temperatures around 25 degrees, the
coldest month in December and January with daily tem-
peratures around 18 to 20 degrees. Rain falls mostly in
June and July.


The main centre of the city is the Harnet Avenue, a wonderful
road with palmtrees, modern bars and cafés. On the western
end there is the ancient king palace, surrounded with numerous
historicals monuments like the Old Theater, the City Admini-
stration, the High Court, the famous catholic cathedral (built in
1992 by the italian architect Scanavini) as well as the Commercial
Bank of Eritrea.

You will recognize the big number of bicycles. Those who use
bikes should be aware of the one-way systems or you will cause
much comment from the locals.

Massawa

105 kilometres eastern of Asmara is Massawa, one of the countries biggest ports and the second city of Eritrea. Its Ottoman and Arab architecture is a major contrast to Asmara's Art Deco style.



Massawa was built up on a fossil coral reef and is divided in three parts, the two islands Batwsa and Twalet (also known as Taolud) as well as the mainland. The islands are connected with dams and a long dam connects them to the mainland.

Sometimes the climate in Massawa can be difficult for Europeans (when it rises into the 40's during the Summer months of June-September) but there are welcome short rains in Winter (December-March) and sometimes
in April.



Historical Information:

from 1557 Turkish Colonization
from 1850 the Egyptian invasion of Massawa
ca. 1885 Italians control the city
1921 almost destroyed by an earthquake, reconstruction by the italian colonial government
1929 Massawa became the biggest harbour on the eastafrican coast. 
1990 During the fights for Massawa between Ethiopians and Eritreans most of the buildings were destroyed. The reconstruction is underway, however there are still some half ruined buildings in the city.       



The port and the old part of the city you will find on the island Batwsa.
The beautiful old monuments are fascinating with the flavour of `1001 Nights` - heavily Turkish and Arabic in their style. Most of the buildings are built by coral stone and have made of stone or wood graved lintels. The old town in front of the port is full of bars and cafes where you can relax after sunset and enjoy the legendary nightlife of the city.

Keren

Keren is around 100 kilometres western of Asmara and
can be reached by a newly built road. Keren is the centre
of the ethnic group Bilen and is heavily Muslim in influence.


On the altitude of 1,390 m the climate is mild and dry.
Italian villas surround the city. The marketplace below
the Keren Hotel is full of numerous shops and pictu-
resque textile markets.

Keren was under the control of Ethiopia until the 90's
and the end of the 30 year war. It was one of the last
bastions of the attempted colonization and liberated
without architectural destruction in 1990.



Agordat

Agordat lies in the western lowlands on an altitude of
625 metres with Arab/Ottoman architecture. Here is
the end of the line of the old railway, which runs from
the Highlands to the Red Sea. Today this restored
line operates on demand and is a not-to-be-missed
experience.

Agordat is very hot and sometimes there are huge sand
storms. The middle daily temperatur is around 36
degrees, with 40 degrees in May and only (!) 30 in the
coldest month of August. The new hospital on the hill
offers you a view point where you can see the beautiful
Gash Barka Area. Gash and Barka are the two largest
rivers but only during rainy season. Verdant banana
plantations surround the city.



Kohaito

Kohaito was one of the famous places of the axum
Empire. Its importance due to its location mid way
between the sea port of Adulis and the capital of
Axum. Kohaito is still scientifically almost not explored
and unearthed. On the wall of the dam you can see
the inscription of 79 words in Ge'ez, additional some
ruines of a king palace, buildings and some column.
At the end of the canyon there is a mysterious grave,
called "egyptian grave". Opened in 1984 they found
remains of 70 wrapped in leather bodies.

 

The area of Kohaito is inhabited by Saho Nomades.
There is a gorgeous view to the Ambesoira, the highest
mountain in Eritrea, with an altitude of 3,013 metres.




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