Asmara – A capital with a view

Asmara is the capital of the East African country of Eritrea. It is located at an elevation of 2300 metres above sea level at the edge of a high plateau. With 660,000 residents, it is the country`s largest city. At the end of the 19th century, the Eritrean capital was just a small collection of villages. In 1897, the Italian colonial government moved its administrative centre from Massawa to Asmara. Today`s cityscape still displays the influences of Italian architecture. The impressive cathedral was built in 1922 in the Lombard style. When the city`s largest mosque was built, marble from Carrara was used.

Gold and silver jewellery can be bought at the market near the mosque. The large market north of the cathedral is also worth a visit: here you can buy fruit and vegetables, spices, pottery, wood carvings and clothing.
National Avenue is the city`s main thoroughfare. Here is the court, the Asmara Theatre, the cathedral, various governmental buildings and the city hall. Other tourist attractions include the National Museum, the university and the magnificent Mai Jah Jah fountain.

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