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Keren, Eritrea
Coordinates: 15°47′N 38°27′E / 15.783°N 38.45°E
Population (2005) Total86,483
 The
mountain city Keren is the largest of the five major secondary towns
inEritrea with a population of 120,000 and the regional capital of the
Anseba Region. The majority of the population are Muslim. There is a
distinctly Muslim feel to the town.
Keren is a
beautiful town and is often visited by those wanting a change of scene
from Asmara or Massawa. The name Keren means highland. The sun rises
over one set of peaks in the east and sets over another set in the west.
Depending on where you stay, rising for the dawn does not present a
problem as the muezzin is likely to act as your early morning call.
Keren is one of
the major agricultural centers of Eritrea, particularly for fruits and
vegetables. To the west the region is known for its banana plantations.
In addition its dairy herds supply fresh milk, butter and the cheese
factory produces provolone and other cheeses.
There is a town market, where silver items may be purchased, and a wood
market, where camels gather on the dry river bed. On Mondays there is a
livestock market in a walled compound on the hillside along the road
leading south from town. Cattle, sheep and goats, camels and donkeys are
bought and sold.
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keren 2004 |
Keren hosts many examples of Italian and Ethiopian colonial heritage.
Overlooked by a seemingly impregnable Egyptian 19th century fortress
(Tigu), which still bristles with Ethiopian army cannon, Keren boasts
stylish public buildings and a Romanesque Catholic church. There are
good views from the top of the fort (1460m). At its foot lie the ruins
of the old Imperial Palace, which were destroyed during the Struggle in
1977.
At one time Keren boasted not one but two railway stations. One of them
now serves as the local bus station, both for the buses to Asmara, Nacfa
and Barentu and for the yellow Toyota taxi buses that intersect Keren.
The speed of life is best exemplified by the fact that camels and
donkeys still outnumber cars.
As of 2005, the
population of this city has been estimated to be 86,483.The city is
integrated with different types of tribes, Bilen and tigre are the
dominant. It has two High school, St. Joseph and Keren Secondary School.
It climate is semi-desert hot during summary and cold during winter. Its
one of the fast growing city in the country.
The city grew around an Eritrean Railway to Asmara, now dismantled
(although there are plans to rebuild). It is an important commercial
centre and was the scene of regular battles in both World War II and the
Eritrean War of Independence. Keren was the site of a key battle between
Italian and British troops in 1941.
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keren 1940
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Attractions in the city
include the Tigu nineteenth century Egyptian fort, the St Maryam Deari
chapel, lying in a baobab tree, the 1930s former railway station, the
old mosque, Said Bakri Mausoleum, British Army and Italian Army
cemeteries and local markets. The nearby sixth century Debre Sina
monastery is known for its cave dwellings.
The town's outlying districts include:
• Elabered
• Hagaz
• Halhal
• Melbaso
The town also shares some of the Art Deco architecture that Asmara is
well known for on the continent.
Twin cities
• Trondheim, Norway
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