Eritrea: Asmara – Exploring Asmara

smara city center is a UNESCO World Heritage for the vast amount of early 20th century Italian art deco architecture. Italy pumped a lot of money into Asmara that has been called “La Piccola Roma” (Little Rome) due to its distinctive European character. Its layout and buildings were designed with wide palm-fringed boulevards, gardens, and public spaces that showcase the clean lines and geometric forms typical of a classic European city. It’s like being in a total time warp – most, if not all, of central Asmara was built by Italians between 1935 and 1940 when the dictator Mussolini embarked on his mission of creating the Second Roman Empire. Among the most outstanding examples are Fiat Tagliero and Cinema Impero buildings. But there is also Cinema Roma, Post Office, Albergo Italia Hotel and much more. Oh, and there is a monument to Pushkin in the heart of Asmara!