Mendefera formerly Adi Ugri, is the capital of Zoba Debub in Eritrea

Eritrea

Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...

. It is situated 54 kilometers south of the capital city Asmara

Asmara

Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...

. 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 cross

Cross

A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...

es and local and Roman coins found. Many areas, including tomb

Tomb

A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...

s, 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).