Governor's Palace, Asmara


The Governor's Palace is the city hall of Asmara, Eritrea. It was built during the colonial period in the city centre, in an Italian Art-Deco style.

Overview

The former Italian government's palace was built in 1897 by Ferdinando Martini, the first Italian governor of Eritrea. The Gibi, as it is known, was converted into a Museum of Asmara during the Ethiopian administration, when the Governor's Palace was switched to the present building.
The current city hall was built during the 1930s in typical Fascist style, with a central tower at the entrance adorned with "Fasci". It is located next to the "Court House" and the "Ministry of Justice" of the Republic of Eritrea, in the central section of Asmara that has been named World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 2017.
The Asmara City hall appeared on Asmara's last revenue stamps, which were issued in 1960.