Friday, February 29, 2008

Former Villa, Asmara

Asmara is one of the most amazing cities I’ve ever been to. The capital of Eritrea, a country bordering Ethiopia and the Sudan on the Horn of Africa, Asmara has a wonderful architectural history. It was constructed almost entirely between 1936 and 1941 by Italian modernist architects. Eritrea had been part of the Italian empire in North Africa since the late 19th century when other European powers such as Britain and France had turned their attention to colonising that part of the world. Beautiful Art Deco building, former Villa, Asmara, Eritrea

Without doubt this is one of the best buildings in Asmara.

It is a former Villa now used as an office. Built around 1938 it could easily be placed in any of the world’s finest cities. Two or three storeys with a couple of balconies and what I presume are roof terraces. The main entrance and probably a stairway, are located in a semi-circular prow jutting from the front of the building and painted white.

I could live here! Actually I wish I could afford to live in something anywhere near as good as this.

Reference:
Asmara: Africa's Secret Modernist City~ Edward Denison, Guang Yu Ren & Naigzy Gebremedhim

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