came from Camillo Francesco Carrara, O.F.M.Cap., titular bishop of Agathopolis, who was the first Apostolic Vicar of Eritrea. A large inscription in the church honours the principal donors who contributed to the cost of the building. They include Benito Mussolini and other leading figures in Italian political life. The painting by Carlo Maratta (1625–1713) behind the high altar, representing the Assumption of Mary, was a gift from King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. Work on the freestanding 52-metre high bell tower began later and was completed in 1925 after the death (on 15 June 1924) of Bishop Carrara. It contains eight bells (an octave from A to A) cast from Austro-Hungarian guns captured in the First World War. The largest weighs 3.8 tons. The church was partially damaged during WW2, but it was quickly repaired in the following years thanks mainly to the contributions of the Italians living in Asmara. An electronic clock was installed in 1987. References Eastern Catholic cathedrals in Eritrea Cathedrals in Asmara Italian fascist architecture Romanesque Revival church buildings Catholic Church in Eritrea Roman Catholic churches completed in 1923 20th-century Roman Catholic church buildings