Mussolini had inherited the Italian colony of Eritrea from the European “scramble for Africa” that began in the 1890's.

Asmara became the centre for Mussolini's new Roman Empire and called the city “La Piccola Roma” – Africa’s little Rome. Mussolini encouraged Italian architects and engineers to transform Asmara into an urban utopia, full of cinemas, cafés, bicycles and sycamore trees. Unrestrained by European norms, Italian architects turned Asmara into an unlikely playground for futurist architecture.

The distinctive "Bar Zilli" which imitates a wireless radio set with windows like tuning knobs.


Cinema Roma on Martyrs Avenue, built in 1937.


The lively café inside.


The original projector.


A young couple enjoying some conversation with photos of classic Hollywood stars on the walls behind.


The original 1930's interior made for a beautiful place to enjoy an espresso or capuccino.