Dekemhare
Eritrea · Debub · 2065 m
Description
Dekemhare was built as the industrial twin of Asmara, the place where Italian East Africa was supposed to make things. Textile mills, a glassworks, a brewery and canning plants went up along a main street of rationalist facades, and wine and vermouth were produced in cellars nearby. The fighting of the late nineteen seventies wrecked much of it and the plants were never rebuilt, so what remains is a modernist town half abandoned, with grand shopfronts and empty sheds behind them. For anyone interested in the architecture it is the sharpest counterpoint to the capital, and it takes about ninety minutes.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Rationalist main street of Dekemhare
- Derelict Italian industrial plants
- Old wine and vermouth cellars
- Saturday market (weekly)
- Cinema and bar interiors of the nineteen thirties
- Orthodox church of Dekemhare
- Ruined Italian villas on the ridges
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- ASM