The Governor's Palace, used today as Asmara City Hall, sits on Bahti Meskerem Square in the heart of the colonial-era administrative district. Built between 1897 and 1900 by the first Italian governor, Ferdinando Martini, it is the oldest substantial public building in the city.
The architecture is Italian neoclassical, with a long arcaded loggia and a central portico looking out over the square. It is not normally open to visitors but is impressive from outside and lit gently at night. The square itself is one of the main meeting points in the city.