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Fiat Tagliero Building
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The Fiat Tagliero Building in Asmara is a globally celebrated masterpiece of futurist architecture and a landmark of the city. Designed by Italian engineer Giuseppe Pettazzi and completed in 1938, the structure resembles an airplane with wide-spreading wings. The building's boldest feature is the 15-meter-long cantilevered concrete wings that stand without supporting columns, a technical sensation for its time. Legends say that Pettazzi forced workers at gunpoint to remove the scaffolding to prove his calculations were correct and that the wings would not collapse. Originally built as a service station and service center for Fiat, the building now stands as a symbol of Asmara's UNESCO World Heritage status. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Italian design in Africa, attracting architecture enthusiasts from all over the world who admire the bold vision of modernism in a unique cultural context.
- Location: Eritrea
- Nearby: Filfil (26 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Nov, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Rain mm | 4 | 8 | 7 | 26 | 18 | 33 | 125 | 145 | 31 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
The Fiat Tagliero Building in Asmara is a historic landmark that can be viewed from the outside. The interior is not open to the public as it now houses a store.
Typical hours
Since the building houses a store, the exterior is visible at any time. The shop typically has regular business hours around 9:00-18:00, but viewing the facade is independent of that.
Photography
The Fiat Tagliero facade is a popular photo subject, especially the futuristic wings and smooth forms. Best photographed from the opposite side of the street to capture the whole building.
Time needed
The visit is limited to the exterior and typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you also want to explore the surrounding Asmara architecture, allow 30 minutes.
Combine with
The building is in Asmara, which also features other futuristic structures like Cinema Impero and the Alfa Romeo building. A walk along the main street Liberty Avenue connects several architectural highlights.
Getting there
The Fiat Tagliero Building is centrally located in Asmara, within a 10-15 minute walk from most hotels. Taxis and buses stop nearby.
Insider tip
Visit the building in late afternoon when sunlight highlights the futuristic lines. Combine the stop with a visit to the nearby gas station, also a design gem.
Geography
Facts
- The reinforced concrete wings have a total span of 30 meters.
- The building was not damaged during the independence war.
- It is located at the intersection of Sematat and Mereb streets.
- Giuseppe Pettazzi was a prominent representative of Italian futurism.
- Asmara was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017.
- The wingtips bend only minimally under load.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Fiat Tagliero Building (1)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is special about the Fiat Tagliero building?
It is a futurist service station in the shape of an airplane with cantilevered concrete wings.
Can the building be visited inside?
Mostly it can only be photographed from the outside, as it is no longer in operation as a gas station.
When was it built?
It was completed in 1938 by the Italian architect Giuseppe Pettazzi.
Where in Asmara is it located?
It is located at the intersection of Sematat Avenue and Mereb Street, not far from the city center.
Is it part of the UNESCO World Heritage?
Yes, as part of Asmara's modernist architecture, it has been a World Heritage site since 2017.
Fiat Tagliero Building: where is it located?
Fiat Tagliero Building is located in Eritrea.
Fiat Tagliero Building: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Nov, Dec.
Fiat Tagliero Building: why is it worth visiting?
The Fiat Tagliero Building in Asmara is a globally celebrated masterpiece of futurist architecture and a landmark of the city.
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History & landmarks
Pushkin Monument
A monument honoring the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, whose great-grandfather is said to have originated from the Eritrea region.
Mai Jah Jah Fountain
A stepped fountain in Asmara that is a popular architectural photo motif and shapes the cityscape.
Cinema Odeon
A well-preserved cinema in Asmara with an elegant facade and a magnificent Art Deco entrance area.
Macca Al Mukarama Mosque
A prominent and architecturally striking mosque in Asmara that is a center of Islamic faith in the city.
Kidane Mehret Cathedral
A striking Catholic cathedral of the Eritrean rite in Asmara, known for its impressive brick architecture.
Albergo Italia
The oldest hotel in Asmara, which has been carefully restored and retains its elegant Italian charm from 1899.
Asmara Municipality Building
The administrative center of the city of Asmara, a massive building with mosaics reflecting fascist monumental architecture.
Asmara Governor's Palace
The historic palace in the center of Asmara, built during the colonial period, featuring neoclassical traits.
More places
Asmara children's amusement park
A popular park for families with play equipment.
Asmara Power Plant
An important diesel power plant in the capital region that supports local energy supply.
Fort Baldissera (Forto)
The Forto, officially known as Fort Baldissera, is a historical fortress on a hill in Asmara.
Imperial Palace of Asmara
The Imperial Palace, also known as the Governor's Palace, was built in 1897 during the Italian colonial period.
St. Joseph's Cathedral
The Catholic St.
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Khulafa al-Rashidun Mosque
The Khulafa al-Rashidun Mosque in the center of Asmara was built during the Italian colonial period in the late 1930s.
Asmara green belt
A green zone around Asmara providing habitat for local birds.
Cinema Impero
The Cinema Impero in Asmara is one of the best-preserved Art Deco buildings in the world.