Dekemhare

Dekemhare was developed in the 1930s as an industrial town, and it keeps a stretch of Italian-era architecture that has survived because little was built over it since: factories, warehouses, a market building, arcaded shopfronts and villas along the main street. Much of it is disused. It sits in fertile highland country and the vineyards planted here in the colonial period still produce. The town was second only to Asmara in industrial output during the colonial period, and the scale of what was built here reflects that.

Background

The town's Italian name was Decamerè, and it lies in the Southern Region at 2060 metres, southeast of Asmara. Its roots go back to Dequ-Mehari, a small farming community founded in the 15th century, which now stands above the present town. Many of the buildings went up between 1936 and 1938 and follow a distinctive Art Deco style. By 1938 the town had 12,000 residents, and it grew into a major centre for industry and farming, noted for its vineyards. Two large secondary schools serve it today, Faith Mission Secondary School and Dekemhare Secondary School.

Source: Wikipedia, "Dekemhare"

The main sights

• The industrial buildings - factories and warehouses from the 1930s programme.
• The arcaded street - the shopfronts along the main road.
• The market building - the covered structure at the centre.
• The vineyards - the plantings from the colonial period still in production.

When to go

Year round; the highland climate is mild. The main rains fall June to September. Market days bring the town to life.

Before you go

Much of the historic fabric is disused and deteriorating. A travel permit is required for movement outside Asmara. Photography restrictions are enforced and industrial sites should not be photographed.

Nearby

Asmara is north, and Senafe is south.

Key facts