Nacfa - Eritrea

About 150 kilometer north of Keren lies the capital of the Sahel province, Nacfa. It holds a special significance for Eritreans, being home to the EPLF during the war. For a long time it was the base of EPLF resistance. The Ethiopian Air force bombed the whole town, except the minaret of the Mosque which served as point of orientation for the pilots. As a result, Nacfa was very heavily damaged. After the liberation of Eritrea, the town has been completely rebuild.

A visit to Nacfa, which entails a fairly arduous road trip, will give you a better understanding of what took place on the country's battlefields and will also take you to the heart of the collective Eritrean self-determination.

Closest to the town, and particularly for those who are interested in the military history, are the trenches of Denden. Here you can find the sites of the liberation struggle: underground offices, hospitals, factories, school and homes, trenches and bunkers. Many of these underground facilities are still accessible.

The climb to the twin peaks of Denden, a mountain that served as the EPLF radio transmission 'tower' during the war of liberation is well worth the effort just for the view.

The Ethiopian Air force bombed the whole city, except the minaret
of the Mosque which served as point of orientation for the pilots.

The battered mosque, the sole building left
standing in the town of Nacfa at the war's end.

"SHORT HISTORY OF THE MOSQUE OF NAKFA

This legendary history of the Nakfa mosque was told by the local people of Nakfa. According to their saying the Nakfa mosque was constructed by demand of Kenib Ay Osman under the guidance of two Italian men, Signor Sherfon and Signor Romel, by the people of Nakfa. To construct the mosque, all the local people of Nakfa brought stones from the hills and lime stone from Askak. Nakfa mosque was given service to its people until 1978. From 1978 the Ethiopian regime got massive military support from foreigners to conquer Nakfa again and launched heavy bombardments, not only on the frontline, on the people, on the business sectors, and on the mosque. As a result, all people of Nakfa left their beloved city and went to the neighboring countries to save their lives. The Eritrean fighters resisted gallantly and Nakfa didn't fall in the hands of the enemy. Nakfa once again proved that is was sign of strong hold of Eritrean liberation.

VICTORY TO THE MASSES!"