Massawa - December 3 2009

 

Today I will explore Tualud Island. I start at the ruins of the Gibi or Governor's Palace. The palace was constructed in 1872 by a Swiss adventurer, and later became the winter residence of Haile Selassie who used to review the Ethiopian fleet from here.

The coral block palace suffered a direct hit during the 1961-91 war and is still waiting for restoration. The carved door, and the elevator (the first in Eritrea!) are of special interest.

The Tualud Island also houses the tank monument, a construction of marble and three tanks that played a vital role in the 1990 Operation Fenkil, the liberation of Massawa, the Saint Michael Orthodox Church, the Villa Melotti and remainders of the former railway station.

This part of Massawa breaths an Italian atmosphere. Many of the residential buildings and offices are from the late 20-s, or constructed recently. A nice example of a building from the Italian era is the recently renovated Erifish office, and the Eritrean Shipping Lines  office next to to Gibi Palace.

Most of the Massawa Hotels are located in this part of the town: The Dahlak Hotel, Red Sea Hotel, Central Hotel, Luna Hotel. Corallo Hotel and the smaller Africa Hotel.

I have diner in the Anchor Sea Food Restaurant. It is one of the few better restaurants left in Massawa (apart from the hotel restaurants). For less than 100 Nakfa I have a complete meal with fish, rice and kicha.

 

Melotti's villa - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Tank monument - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Red Sea Hotel - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Erifish offices - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Dahlak hotel extensions - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Gibi or Governor's Palace - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Gibi or Governor's Palace - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Gibi or Governor's Palace - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Africa hotel & bar & restaurant - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.

Anchor sea food restaurant tel. 552300 - Taulud Island Massawa Eritrea.