Mendefera

Mendefera መንደፈራ
Mendefera Location in Eritrea
Coordinates: 14°53′14″N 38°48′55″E / 14.88722°N 38.81528°E / 14.88722; 38.81528
Country	Eritrea
Region	Debub
District	Mendefera

Mendefera (Tigrinya: መንደፈራ), formerly Adi Ugri, is the capital of Zoba Debub in Eritrea. It is situated 54 kilometers south of the capital city Asmara. The name Mendefera derives from the high hill in the center of the city and is a source of pride to Eritreans. It means 'no one dared' in Tigrigna (ትግርኛ), and is a reminder of the fierce resistance put up by the local people to the Italian colonialism.

History

Mendefera was an important city in the Aksumite civilisation, but was established as early as the fifth century BC. Numerous buildings have been excavated since 1959, with both crosses and local and Roman coins found. Many areas, including tombs, have yet to be investigated. However, the Mendefera seen today was built during the Italian era. Earlier, the place was a thick jungle, where wild animals roamed making it impossible for anyone to live in. It is now a bustling market town in a fertile region of Eritrea, and a place where small and large scale factories produce different products.

Location

Some villages in the vicinity of Mendefera include Ksad Da'aro (ክሳድ ዳዓሮ) and Adi Bana (አዲ ባና).

References

• Mendefera

Coordinates: 14°53′N 38°49′E / 14.883°N 38.817°E / 14.883; 38.817