Asmara War Cemetery
- Country Eritrea
- Total identified casualties 263 Find these casualties
- Identified casualties from Second World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 15.35031, Longitude: 38.96757
Location information
The cemetery is located about 8 kilometres from the centre of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. It is situated about 100 metres south of the main road from Asmara to the port of Massawa on the Red Sea. The Cemetery lies 100 metres back from the road, in an area of wooded hills and is signposted from the road.
Visiting information
ARRIVAL
The route to the cemetery is signposted.
PARKING
There is a parking area to the front of the cemetery with space for 2 vehicles, within 1.5 metres of the main gate.
It is possible to park in a scrubland area behind the 2 parking spaces. This area is approximately 5 metres from the main entrance, with space for up to 12 vehicles.
The ground is flat, the surfaces are either large-to-small loose stone gravel or scrubland and can be muddy.
ACCESS, LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE
The cemetery is arranged with two square burial sections next to each other. There are 3 stone steps between the two separate levels indicating a divide between the two sections. The steps lead down from the main section of the cemetery to the smaller section.
At the main entrance of the cemetery, there is a double 1.70-metre-wide low level (waist height) metal gate. The approach is loose gravel, with a stone semi-circular paved area part of the main entrance. There is a small stone gate stopper in the centre of the gate opening.
The latched gate opens inwards into the cemetery.
The Cross of Sacrifice is on a raised platform with stone steps leading up to the Cross. It is located at the rear of the cemetery at the furthest point from the main entrance.
The internal cemetery paths are loose gravel, the ground is flat.
A semi-circular wall runs behind the Cross of Sacrifice with seating on either side of the Cross against the wall.
Curved stone bench seating areas are located in the each corner in the main part of the cemetery.
The Register Box is at the mid-point of the cemetery on the left side, in a stone shelter with a stone seat underneath.
The ground of the cemetery is sloped, and the internal paths are topped with loose aggregate and gravel.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS
There is a single low level metal gate at the right side of the cemetery, approximately 1 metre wide that opens outwards. There are no steps at this entrance. This gate may be locked, but on-site staff can open on request. This entrance leads to the smaller section of the cemetery, allowing step-free access.
The ground surface is gravel aggregate on the outside of the gate changing to a paved area, then returning to gravel aggregate.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Asmara War cemetery is open Monday to Friday 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs.
History information
The Italian stronghold of Keren was taken by Commonwealth forces at the end of March 1941 and the retreating Italian force pursued to Asmara, which was occupied on 1 April.
Asmara War Cemetery contains the graves of those killed in the latter stages of the East African campaign, or who died subsequently at the garrison stationed at Asmara.
The cemetery contains 273 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 14 of them unidentified. There are also six war graves of other nationalities and five non-war burials.