Most of you have probably never heard of Eritrea? And Eritrea travel is something that few tourists actually do. Well, Eritrea is a small country in the Horn of Africa that has been called the “North Korea of Africa” due to its repressive government and isolation from the outside world. The country was ruled by the Kingdom of Italy from 1882 – 1941. Due to this history, the architecture of much of it’s capital, Asmara is very much early 1900’s Italy.
Eritrea was a colony of Italy from 1882 to 1941, when it was occupied by British forces during World War II. After the war, it was administered by the United Nations until 1952, when it was merged with Ethiopia.
The federation was a disaster, and Eritreans soon began to demand independence. In 1961, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) was founded to fight for independence. The EPLF waged a long and bloody war against the Ethiopian government, which ended in 1991 with Eritrea’s independence.
Eritrea was one of the 3 countries i have visited during the same trip to the horn of Africa, but since there is no overland travel possible i had to fly back to Ethiopia to get another connection to the capital Asmara.
Asmara is such an interesting place! Walking though the streets of the capital we felt like we were in 1950’s Rome. It isn’t just the architecture. It is also the cafes, the shops and the spirit of the people. And to boot, we would often hear older folk speaking to us in Italian.
Tank Graveyard
On the outskirts of Asmara we found the famous Tank Graveyard. Old rusting tanks and all other types of military vehicles are piled high in rows of twisted metal craziness. For the Eritreans this is holy ground as it represents the 30 years of sacrifice and loss that they endured to gain independence.
There is much more to see in Eritrea but my time was limited…If you decide to go well take a least 4 days because Eritrea welcomes you to a journey of cultural richness, historical marvels, and natural beauty. This guide ensures your exploration is filled with unforgettable moments, from ancient ruins to vibrant festivals.
