Things to Do at Fiat Tagliero Building

The Fiat Tagliero Building stands as one of the most remarkable examples of Futurist architecture in Africa and a crown jewel of Asmara's UNESCO World Heritage cityscape. Built in 1938 by Italian engineer Giuseppe Pettazzi, this extraordinary structure was designed as a service station and is renowned for its aircraft-like appearance, featuring dramatic concrete wings that extend 70 feet on each side without any supporting pillars - a remarkable engineering feat for its time. The building's distinctive design embodies the optimism and technological advancement of the Futurist movement, with its sleek lines and aerodynamic form symbolizing speed, progress, and modernity. Despite initial engineering concerns that nearly led to the addition of support columns, Pettazzi's original vision was preserved, creating what many consider to be one of the world's most beautiful gas stations. Today, it serves not only as a functional building but as an iconic symbol of Asmara's unique architectural heritage and Eritrea's Italian colonial period.

The Fiat Tagliero Building is located in central Asmara and is easily accessible by foot, taxi, or local transport. It's situated along one of the main roads and is well-known to locals, making it easy to find. The building is within walking distance of most central Asmara accommodations and can be combined with a walking tour of the city's other architectural highlights. Taxis are readily available throughout the city, and the landmark's distinctive appearance makes it unmistakable once you're in the vicinity.