The preservation of cultural heritage is crucial for several reasons. It serves as a tangible link to the past, offering valuable insights into a country’s history and cultural evolution and boosting tourism. The preservation of Art Deco architecture is also a crucial component of preserving this broader cultural heritage. Art Deco buildings stand as powerful testaments to the architectural styles of a bygone era and the aesthetic sensibilities of their time. These structures often represent significant economic growth and social change periods, showcasing past generations’ aspirations and aesthetic sensibilities. Furthermore, preserving Art Deco landmarks enhances a city’s unique character and historical significance, attracting tourists.
Eritrea boasts a rich legacy of local and colonial architecture, particularly monumental and Art Deco, dating back to Ottoman Turkish rule and subsequent colonizers. These architectural marvels, primarily concentrated in major Eritrean towns, were constructed by the colonizers to project their cultural influence and assert their dominance. This diverse architectural landscape encompasses a range of structures, including remnants of international battlefields, scars of colonial oppression, and significant religious sites, offering a complex and multifaceted glimpse into the country’s history.
The Anseba region, particularly the city of Keren, stands out as a prominent hub for this architectural heritage, showcasing a remarkable concentration of these structures. Historically, the city of Keren has played a pivotal role in regional trade for centuries. From the medieval to the 16th century, it served as a crucial intermediary point on the vital trade routes connecting the Red Sea’s west coast with various parts of the region. Caravans laden with goods from Persia and India traversed these routes, bringing valuable commodities to various parts of East Africa. Keren’s strategic location between the Anseba and Barka rivers made it an ideal hub for these transcontinental trade networks. According to an Italian priest, Giuseppe Sapeto, one of the earliest Europeans to arrive in Eritrea, Keren served as a vital center for merchants from the Gash, Kingdom of Meroe, and Shindi regions. These merchants brought diverse goods to Keren, including animal skin, butter, livestock, camels, gold, wax, frankincense, dates, tamarind, ostrich feathers, and many other valuable commodities. This thriving trade in goods from these regions undoubtedly contributed significantly to Keren’s emergence as a prominent economic hub during that era.
Keren possesses a unique geographical feature: a prominent cave with numerous entrances. Historically, these caves served as natural storehouses for the city’s market goods, offering a secure and climate-controlled environment for preserving perishable items during that time. This natural storage solution likely significantly impacted the city’s economic development. Furthermore, the city of Keren is surrounded by huge rocks and mountains, a characteristic that has likely influenced its name. Some linguists suggest that the name “Keren” originates from the Belin language, where “krng” translates to “stones,” reflecting the city’s prominent rocky surroundings.
Among the various colonial powers to have exerted influence over Eritrea, the Ottoman Empire was the first to establish a significant presence. They initially settled in the area now known as Forto, leaving behind a notable legacy in the form of a fortified position on Forto Mountain. In 1872, the Egyptians took over from the Turks, but unlike the Turks, the Egyptians did not leave any significant remnants in the area. Later, when the Italians took over the country in 1890, they constructed one of the largest mosques in the country around 1896. Subsequently, Italian colonial rule transformed Keren from a small town into a thriving modern city. This rapid development was fuelled by several factors, including a moderate climate, fertile land, and readily accessible water sources. These favorable conditions attracted renowned Italian businessmen who invested heavily in modernizing the agricultural sector. This influx of investment and technological innovation spurred Keren’s rapid growth and economic prosperity within a relatively short period.
Under Italian colonial rule, Keren attracted diverse investors beyond Italian businessmen. Individuals from various nationalities, including Greeks, Indians, Yemenis, Bulgarians, Jews, Sudanese, British, Somalis, and others, contributed to the city’s burgeoning economy. The Italian colonizers strategically planned Keren as a residential center for Italians, envisioning it as a hub for business and entertainment. Reflecting this ambition, the initial urban planning envisioned a city with a capacity for approximately 10,000 residents.
Keren’s urban planning unfolded in three distinct stages. The initial master plan was drafted between 1903 and 1904 during the administration of Governor Ferdinand Martini. This foundational plan was subsequently revised in 1913. Finally, a comprehensive third and final master plan was developed in 1937, shaping the city’s urban landscape as it evolved. In 1911, the railroad constructed to connect Asmara and Massawa reached Keren, and in 1918, a train station was constructed in the city. In 1920, the train station began to serve the area’s inhabitants, resulting in the expansion of agricultural activities undertaken by the area’s inhabitants. Establishing the railroad and train station also made a vital contribution to the town’s growth.
During the British Military Administration (BMA) period following World War II, Keren served as the administrative capital for three of Eritrea’s provinces: Senhit, Sahel, and Barka. This strategic position underscored the city’s importance within the regional context. A pivotal event in Keren’s history was the fierce battle between Axis and Allied forces during World War II. This climactic confrontation, known as the Battle of Keren, occurred on the city’s northern edge. A poignant testament to this conflict, the city now features two cemeteries: one dedicated to fallen Italian soldiers on the north edge and another honoring Allied soldiers on the southern outskirts, both serving as significant historical sites for visitors. The Battle of Keren involved a massive mobilization of forces, with thousands of soldiers from around 15 nationalities across Europe, Africa, and Asia participating in the struggle to control the strategically vital mountains of Keren. Tinkuluhas, where the battle culminated, derives its name from the Belin language, meaning “the place where the soldiers of the gigantic forces wipe out,” reflecting the bloody conflict between Italians and British forces.
A significant portion of Keren’s built environment comprises over a century-old structures, bearing witness to the city’s rich history. Notable examples include the St. Michael Greek Orthodox Church, the Ala’tiq Mosque, the Luigi Riva Palace, the Deponti Building, Shitata (Enda Molgom), the Grand Hotel, and the Keren City Hall. These architectural gems showcase diverse architectural styles, reflecting the city’s multifaceted past and the influence of various cultures and periods.
