Eritrea: Massawa – Massawa Old Town

Massawa as a settlement on the Red Sea coast has existed for over 1500 years, but really flourished in the 16th-19th centuries. The city is entirely on an offshore island, connected by a causeway to the mainland. It became a major trading port under the Egyptians and then Ottomans, and then taken over by the Italians, who even used Massawa as the capital of the Italian Eritrea until it was moved to Asmara. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but sadly it’s in a very destroyed and dilapidated condition, partially because of time and partially because of the fighting in the Eritrean War of independence. The city is almost is ruins, the buildings, once truly grand, are all falling apart. You can see the remnants of the magnificent ottoman architecture with ornate doors and balconies in some of them, others have Italian influences. Ruins of former Banco d’Italia or former Imperial Palace are particularly haunting. There is also an awesome 16th century Shaafi Mosque and equality impressive Sheikh Hanafi Mosque.