Important Tourist Places in and around Asmara, Capital of Eritrea: My Experience

 

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country located in Eastern Africa, with its capital at Asmara spread over to an area of 118, 000 square kilometers home of around 60 lakh people (as per an estimate in 2020). The country is having more than 1000 Kilometers of coastal line along the Red Sea with about 350 off shore islands.  I worked as Associate Professor in Eritrea and stayed its capital viz., Asmara for two years and enjoyed thoroughly different the place including other places of Eritrea. It is pertinent to mention that weather condition of Asmara is always very cold. When I was there a decade ago 365 days warm clothes, even monkey caps required for protecting from cold condition. Anyway here few important tourist places of Asmara which attracted me are presented for the benefit of readers.

a) The Church of our Lady of the Rosary (The Cathedral):

      Asmara is popular for the Church of Lady of the Rosary, popularly known as the Cathedral.  Till 1993 it was the Church of Apostolic Vicar of Eritrea and then of the Apostolic Administrator of Eritrea.  The present building of the Church was constructed in 1923 and in the same year it was blessed.  Before that there was a small church, which was constructed in 1895, but after demolishing it, the present one has been contructed.

The Church has a central nave, two aisles, and a transept.  It is 40 meters long, and its highest height is 25 meters. The Church is topped with a bronze statue of St. Michael the Archangel.  Internally it is decorated with array of illumination.  There are eight artistic bells on the tower. Weight of the biggest bell is 83 quintals.  Other buildings of the Church inter alia, include the theatre with 500 seats, the Friary, printing press, Catholic Institute of Theology, kindergarten school etc.  The Church may be considered as the main lung of the social life and religious activities of Asmara city.  It is the oldest among the Catholic Churches of Asmara. In few occasions I visited the church, it was really beautiful. Every time, I prayed my own way sitting in one corner of the bench - a different environment, a different situation. I believe God is one, only means of praying is different.  Ultimately we all pray to one God only.

b) Jamle at Khulafa’s el Rashedin Mosque:

     The mosque was built in 1938.There is large square area in front of the mosque where Friday prayers are held. The stone used in the construction of mosque was light colored. It is really attractive.

c) Tank Graveyard:

     The military tanks, armored vehicles, and other relics of war left behind by Ethiopian army were dumped.  Although it is place of interest but after watching the site, I was thinking what war gives us. I feel destruction, death, waste of money and resources are the outcome of war.

d) St. Mary’s Orthodox Church:

         The church was constructed in the year 1938. It is located on top of a small hill. It was built with red bricks with two huge bell towers located in front of the entrance. Inside the church there are large number of Byzantine paintings of Angels and religious icons including that of St. Mary’s. Location of the church including its inside view gives lot of pleasure to mind. One will have automatically spiritual feelings in the area itself. In addition, museum, zoo, architecture of the post office, Mainefhi-dam (20 kilometers away), cemetery etc are other places of interest in and around Asmara.

In addition to above, few other places where I visited were:

 e) Debre Bizen Monastery:

       Soon after leaving Asmara towards east, the road passes through Hindu and the British cemeteries. These persons died in Second World War.  After 20 kilometers drive from Asmara, Nefasit town comes. It is on way to Massawa (port city). In Nefasit, the monastery of Debre Bizen is located at about 2400 meters above sea level. It was constructed in the year 1361. One has to go on foot (rather climb) to reach the monastery. People normally start very early morning. Women are not allowed to visit. It is believed that Abune Filipos who constructed the monastery wanted that her monks should not be attracted by the women.

f)  Kohaito:

      It is located 11 kilometers south of Adi-Keih is known for archaeological site “Queen of Sheba Dam”, believed to be a place of worship. It was constructed in between 400 and 500 B.C. and archaeologists believe if site is excavated many things would be revealed.

 g) Metera:

     Metera is located about 135 kilometers away of South of Asmara. It was partially excavated.  Iron cross on mount Metera and five meters Steala (obelisk) with an inscription of third century are worthy sites to be seen.  Partial excavation has revealed that it was a growing city inhabited by large number of persons.

h) Ham-Debre Libanos:

        This is a monastery constructed in the early 6^th century by the Syrian missionaries.  The place is about 150 kilometers away from Asmara. Originally it was located in Ham village and later on shifted to below the Ham plateau. Its church contains “Golden Gospel”, a metal covered the Bible that date back to 13^th century. A large number of mummified bodies were discovered here. According to some experts these mummies were 500 years old.  The bodied were wrapped with cloth and animal skins.

Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

                                                                         Former Professor& Head (CPME)

NIRD &PR (Govt. of India),

Hyderabad-500 030

Telangana, India

Email <shankarjagu@gmail.com>