The East African country Eritrea has been named a ‘mini Italy’, and with their close links within history, it’s no surprise.
In 1890, Eritrea became an Italian colony and was the main base for the Italian invasion of Ethiopia from 1896 to 1936.
Eritrea won its independence in 1993, however the essence of Italy still lingers.
When you enter the city of Asmara, it feels as though time has frozen and you’ve stepped into 1930s Italy.
The Fiat Tagliero gas station, cinema Impero, Teatro Asmara and even Cinema Roma set the scene of a time long ago.
They even have an abundance of Italian cuisine. From spaghetti, pizza, macchiato and gelato – you’ll begin to think your mind is playing tricks on you.
Another feature that illuminates this 1930s setting is the country’s lack of internet. It’s not that it doesn’t exist over there; however it’s limited and very expensive.
“It’s a cafe society,” one local told travel journalist Joe HaTTab, “We drink coffee and chat”.
The country is located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea, with its coastal location being very important in its history and culture.
The Red Sea served as a vital trading route that brought Christianity and Islam to the region.
By controlling ports along the Eritrean coast, nations like Turkey, Egypt, and Italy aimed to control this market.
Ethiopia became the dominant force in the second half of the 20th century, and the Eritrean people had to break free from it in order to establish their own state.
Those ports offered access to the gold, coffee, and slaves that traffickers in the Ethiopian highlands to the south traded.
Many ethnic groups make up Eritrea’s population, and each has its own language and cultural customs.
The languages of the many ethnic groups are spoken, but Arabic and English are also commonly understood. On occasion, Italian is also used.
In the Eritrean highlands, Tigrayans make up the majority of the population.
That group is commonly referred to as Tigrinya in Eritrea, while Semitic language scholars point out that the suffix -nya is an Amharic word that means “language of.”
Given the political sensitivities of today, the appropriate terminology for the population is, in any event, flexible.
Approximately 50% of the population of Tigray is Tigrayan.
They also inhabit Tigray, an area in Ethiopia that is neighbouring.
Eritrea has two primary indigenous languages, one of which is Tigrinya.
The kind of attractions that should draw tourists to Eritrea include archaeological remains, stunning beaches along its extensive Red Sea coastline, and incredibly inventive Modernist architecture, much of which was constructed during Italy’s occupation under Mussolini.
More flare and creativity went into its design than anything constructed in Europe during the same time period, and the majority of it is distinctly Art Deco.
Aside from stylish houses that were originally owned by the Italian elite, the city centre is dotted with chic movie theatres, an opera theatre, and cafes serving espresso and cappuccinos.
Sadly, due to the country’s recent history it has kept it off the map – both literally and for tourists.