Asmara's architectural heritage as a bricolage: The case of St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral

Asmara's modernist architecture, recognized by UNESCO for its 'outstanding value to humanity,' represents a unique blend of Eritrean and Italian influences. The study challenges UNESCO's rejection of Criterion 3 for Asmara, arguing that indigenous labor and cultural traditions played a pivotal role in shaping the city's modernist identity. Focusing on St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, the research demonstrates how bricolage—layering diverse architectural elements—created a distinct modernist language, distinct from European modernism but deeply rooted in African contexts. This finding underscores Asmara's significance as Africa's sole explicitly modernist UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering new insights into the cultural and historical intersections that define its heritage.

Kordonouri, T., Teame, B., & Denison, E. (2022). Asmara’s architectural heritage as a bricolage: The case of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral. Curator: The Museum Journal, 65(3), 643–661. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cura.12507