asmara

Asmara is the capital and largest city of Eritrea, located in the central highlands at an elevation of about 2,400 meters above sea level. It serves as the country’s administrative, cultural, and economic center, hosting government ministries, the main international airport, and major educational and cultural institutions. The city’s urban landscape is notable for its Italian-era architecture, with examples of Rationalist, Futurist, and Art Deco styles built during the colonial period from the late 19th century through the 1940s. In 2017, UNESCO inscribed The Modernist City of Asmara on the World Heritage List in recognition of this distinctive urban fabric.

Prominent landmarks include the Fiat Tagliero Building, a 1938 Futurist-style petrol station with wing-like roofs, and the Cinema Impero, a 1937 cinema that remains a symbol of the city’s architectural heritage. The city also contains churches and administrative buildings that reflect the Italian influence on public architecture.

Climate in Asmara is a cool subtropical highland climate, with mild temperatures year-round due to the elevation and a pronounced dry season in the winter months, while most rainfall occurs in the summer. The city’s population is concentrated in the capital region, making Asmara Eritrea’s principal urban center and a focal point for administration, culture, and services.