This page provides fuller information about selected buildings featured on the Architecture page.
Fiat Tagliero
The petrol station, once owned by the Italian Dr Tagliero, is no longer in use. Its distinctive central tower housed the station’s offices and an observation room (Wikipedia, 2026). According to one well-known story, architect Giuseppe Pettazzi pulled a gun and threatened to shoot the contractors when they insisted on adding supporting pillars beneath the cantilevered wings — supports that Pettazzi believed were unnecessary (Cawthorne, 2008). Interestingly, the building’s original plans were reportedly discovered in 2001, confirming that supporting pillars had initially been included in the design and that the dispute over removing them was real rather than just a myth. However, the plans have never been publicly traced, and it remains unclear where they are now held.
Ironic that the Fiat Tagliero, built to look like an airplane, survived British bombing during WW2 — even though it was probably never the target.
In “I Didn’t Do It for You” (2005), Michela Wrong writes that Italian architects of the 1930s “unleashed the full, incongruous force of their Modernistic creativity.” The Fiat Tagliero Building is the best example, its Futurist design resembling an aircraft in flight. Some say its wings hid Italian military vehicles during British air raids, although no evidence supports this. Another well-known story says architect Giuseppe Pettazzi refused to let workers add support pillars, insisting the wings would stand on their own
Refrences
Wikipedia (2026) Fiat Tagliero Building. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Tagliero_Building (Accessed: 27 July 2026).
Cawthorne, A. (2008) ‘Africa’s “Miami” boasts art deco trove’, Mail & Guardian, 21 May. Available at: https://mg.co.za/article/2008-05-21-africas-miami-boasts-art-deco-trove/ (Accessed: 27 July 2026).
La Cattedrale
Though founded to serve the Italian Catholic community during the colonial period, the church still celebrates Mass in Italian, and Eritrean nuns, along with devoted worshippers, continue to come together and share their group prayers in the language.
Cinema Asmara
Although the building is Roman Revival in style, the interior — designed by Saverio Fresa — features flowing, dance-themed figures with curvilinear, organic motifs typical of Art Nouveau. For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asmara_Theatre
World Bank Building
What would once have been the private residence of an Italian colonial settler now stands as a striking example of Streamline Moderne architecture, defined by a prominent ship’s prow facade and classic porthole windows.
Bar Zilli
Expanded description pending…
Cinema Impero
Expanded description pending…
Cinema Roma
Expanded description pending.
St. Mary’s Church (Enda Mariam)
Expanded description pending…
The Great Mosque
Rationalist planning refers to the overall organisation of the building — its simple geometry, symmetry, clear layout, and lack of unnecessary ornament. It’s about how the building is conceived and arranged.
Classical influences refer to elements such as proportion, balance, and monumental composition, rather than specific decorative features.
Islamic influences are seen in features that identify it as a mosque, such as the minaret, arches, dome (where present), and decorative motifs.
Villa Roma
Expanded description pending…
African Pension
Many guest houses in Eritrea during the Italian period were known as pensioni (singular: pensione), the Italian word for a small guest house or boarding house. Over time, the term became anglicised as Pension. In modern English, however, the word is more commonly associated with retirement benefits, which can sometimes cause confusion.
Asmara Synagogue
Expanded description pending
National Museum of Eritrea
Expanded description pending
Albergo Italia
Expanded description pending
Casa degli Italiani
Expanded description pending…
The Governor’s Palace (Asmara Municipality)
Expanded description pending
Palazzo Aba-Habesh
Expanded description pending…
Comboni College
Expanded description pending…
Ministry of Finance
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Ministry of Education
Expanded description pending…
Bank of Eritrea
Expanded description pending…
Selam Hotel (ex Albergo C.I.A.A.O)
Expanded description pending…
Commercial Bank of Eritrea
Expanded description pending…
Asmara Railway Station
Expanded description pending…
Asmara Fish Market
Expanded description pending…
Mocambo
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Central Post Office
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Hamasien Hotel
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Embasoira Hotel
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Cinema Odeon
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Cinema Capitol
Expanded description pending…
IRGA Building
Expanded description pending…
Locomotive Building
Expanded description pending.
Former Banka d’Italia
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Palazzo Falletta
Expanded description pending…
Villa Grazia
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Segeneyti Street Building
Expanded description pending…
Ministry of Local Government
Expanded description pending
175-9 Street Corner Building
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Denden Street Building 1
Expanded description pending…
Denden Street Building 2
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Denden Street Building 3
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Ministry of Health
Expanded description pending…
Selam Street Building
Expanded description pending…
Palazzo Berta
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Medeber
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Training Centre
Expanded description pending…
Fish Market
Expanded description pending…
Central Market
Expanded description pending…
Bar Torino
Expanded description pending…
INAIL / Hospitem
Expanded description pending…