Page "History of Eritrea" Paragraph 42

Today Asmara is worldwide known for its early twentieth century Italian buildings, including the Art Deco Cinema Impero, " Cubist " Africa Pension, eclectic Orthodox Cathedral and former Opera House, the futurist Fiat Tagliero Building, neo-Romanesque Roman Catholic Cathedral, and the neoclassical Governor's Palace.

The city is littered with Italian colonial villas and mansions.

Most of central Asmara was built between 1935 and 1941, so effectively the Italians managed to build almost an entire city, in just six years.