Sights of Sudan
The northern part of the territory of modern Sudan is known since the ancient times as Nubia, which existed already during the old kingdom of ancient Egypt (2755-2255. to N. NS.) Therefore, in the region between the Nubian desert and the Nõl, a large number of monuments of the times of Ancient Egypt are concentrated, under whose rule Nubia was under the VIII century to N. NS. Also on the territory of the country there are many historical monuments and other epochs, often no less interesting, but most of them are practically unavailable or lowraged.
Hartum, The capital of Sudan, founded by the British in the XIX century on the merger of the White and Blue Nile. Hartum has a relatively short story. He was first a military stamping (from 1821.), and as they believe, received its name from the fine strip of the Earth at the place of the confluence of the rivers, which resembles the trunk of an elephant ("Khurtum"). Khartoum grew quickly achieved prosperity during the period of brass trading, between 1825 and 1880. In 1834. He became the capital of Sudan, and many researchers from Europe used him as a starting point for their African expeditions. Now it is the richest and large among the modern Sudanese cities and the second largest city of Muslim North Africa. But besides the colonial city center, there are practically no attractions for which it costs to spend time. Today’s Khartoum – a quiet and incredible city. It has peaceful streets, scribbled street trees, and somehow still carries an unmistakably recognizable look of the colonial center of the Times of the British Empire. Certain interest are represented Parliament building and Palace of the Republic, National Museum, Museum of Natural History at the University of I ethnographical museum. University Library Hartoum is famous for its African and Sudanese collections. The main meeting of historical documents is posted in National Office Reports (Records). Sudanese National Museum It has an excellent assembly of the exhibits of many eras and civilizations, including glass and clay dishes, sculpture and figurines of the ancient Kingdom of Kash and Egypt of the Pharaohs Epoch. The Christian period of ancient Nubia is represented by the frescoes of destroyed churches dating from VIII to XV century. The museum garden contains two recovered temples that were transported from Nubia from the territory that was flooded with a lake Nasser formed by the hydroelectric station. These ancient Egyptian temples Buen and Sem were originally built in the epoch of the Queen Hatshepsut and Pharaoh Tutamos III, respectively. Hartum ethnographic museum It is small enough, but it contains an interesting collection of products relating to the life of the Sudanese village – musical instruments, clothes, kitchen utensils and tools of hunting.
The most charming view of Khartoum has a fusion of the White and Blue Nile, with almost on the shore Al Mogran Memori Park – A peculiar moon park with an excellent panorama on the Nile. Dam Jebel Aulia – A good place to observe the flock of river birds, fishing fish, picnics and observations of the daily life of Sudanese. Interesting I Sabaloka Gorj (Sabaloka River Gorge, One of the tributaries of the Nile) with picturesque rocks and stormy jets of the Great River sheds between them. This, probably, the only country canyon, not drying in the local hot climate.
Omdurman, Hartum’s satellite city, a huge African city with a population of about a million people. Omdurman is perhaps even more than Khartum deserves visits, because it is one of the oldest cities in the country and peculiar "Gate to Rural Sudan". Omdurman market is considered one of the best in the country. The products from ivory and black wood candlesticks are cut out by market masters right in front of the visitor, jewelers and "Silver business masters" offer all types of jewels, and the atmosphere of the market itself is alive and easily. The best time to visit – Friday morning. One of the main attractions of the city – Grave Mahdi, one of the most revered in the country of rulers. After the death of Mahdi in 1885. His body was buried in the dome-shaped mosque in Omdurman, but she was completely destroyed by the British General Ketchner in 1898., And the remains of Mahdi were burned and the ashes dispelled over the river. It is not surprising that this place is closed for visiting by foreigners, but may freely look outside. In 1947. Mahdi’s son rebuilt the mosque again and restored the grave. Excellent architecture of this Mausoleum made it the most photographed construction in Sudan. Another attraction – Belte al-Khalifa, Located almost opposite Mahdi’s grave. Once built as the house of the heir to Mahdi (this house is erected from a brick in 1887.), now this is a museum. It contains various relics of Mahdi battles and his supporters, including weapons, military banners and costumes. An interesting photo meeting displays the city of Hartum during the Mahadi revolt and his subsequent study by the British. Museum Forta Contains exhibitions of colonial times exhibits. Khamenda Ala Niela Mosque (Niil), constantly surrounded by dervishes, adds charm the appearance of Omdurman. These Sufi followers of Sheikh Jad Niel constantly dancing around the mosque, making a kind of mystical ritual "DHIKR", which is used to transfer its participants from the sphere of earthly life in the sphere "Heavenly existence", Where all the truths of reality may be tested and becomes more close contact with God. Even if this ritual looks strange for the guest of the country, his exciting and sincere execution deserves respect.
Town Meroe Lies on the eastern bank of the Nile northeast of Shender between Khartoum and Atbara, there are ruins of numerous ancient pyramids (350-350. to N. NS.). The kingdom of Mero was under the strong influence of Egyptian art and religion, but was isolated and happily escaped many shocks of the front of the crawls, developing their own style and art. After falling under the blows of several tribes at once, the city was destroyed by the Christian kingdom of Aksum (Ethiopia). Between the railway and the Nile have been preserved Ruins of the temple of Amon, and 2 km. east of Mero lies majestic in the past Temple of the Sun.
El Obeid – The ancient city and the capital of the region of Kordofan in Western Sudan, 367 km. South-West of Khartoum, the former capital of the Kingdom of Mahdi. To this day in El Omeid, a little preserved to interest the sophisticated visitor. Dependat, perhaps, only small Museum With exhibitions concerning the ancient Sudanese history, Catholic cathedral (the largest in North Africa) and numerous mosques, more in modern El Obeid is nothing.
Located when merging the Atbara River, current from Ethiopia, and Nile, city Atbara Located on two main railway highways: from Atbara to Port Sudan, and from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa, therefore is a major shopping center of the country. In 1898. Atbara was the battlefield between the British and Mahadists, when almost 2 thousand soldiers of the Sudanese ruler were destroyed by the troops of Ketchner. After the battle, British officials settled here, building numerous colonial buildings that are now used as government agencies. Ruins Okrain Royal City of MeroE Located just 100 km. South of Atbara. Place of residence of the kings of Mero between 592 g. to N. NS. and 350 g. N. NS., The city demonstrates a strong Egyptian architectural influence. Some temples still stand with the remnants of several palaces and swimming pool. In the desert, 5 km. east of the city, preserved Royal Pyramids, where several generations of the kings of Meroe are buried.
Port-Sudan, lying in 661 km. northeast of Khartoum, the second largest city of Sudan. This is a large seaport built by the British in 1905. Instead of the old port – Suakin (which it became impossible to use because of the corals). The city himself stands out unusual for Sudan "European" building (old, irradiated two-storey houses). Here are two ports – Dry cargo northern Shamal Mina and south container Zhanub Mina, Where is the huge elevator built by Soviet experts in the 1950s. The ports are fenced and guarded, for walking by ports you need to get a pass in the port separation of the police. Nearby resort Aruus – A good place for snorkeling and diving, however, there is no rest infrastructure.
Sucin (58 km. South of Port Sudan) Earlier was the main trading center on the Red Sea, especially in the XIX century, during the period of boom worker. The city itself is very old – in the twentieth century BC. NS. He was used by Pharaoh Ramses III as a trading port, but by the beginning of the twentieth. lost its importance, and in 1905. was replaced by Port Skan. The unique architectural facilities of Suakin are almost entirely made of coral, but these in the past are very beautiful buildings, although Mahdi was restored in 1881., Now destroy and lose their former attractiveness. Now Suakin is a city of ruins and a warm sea for rare swimming lovers.
Kusti (Kusti) Lies at 310 km. South of Khartoum on a new road. Visit Keanna Shugue Project and Mosque Mahdi At the nearby island Gezir Aba Or try the delicious local fish from the Nile in one of the numerous restaurants.
Dongola – City of palm gardens, delicious fruits and ruins Temple KaVa, 457 km. northeast of Khartoum.
Karima (Kuraima) – Another historic center of the country where you can get a ferry from the city of Merov (not to be confused with Mero) on the opposite bank of the Nile. The city is famous for its ancient ruins and mango gardens, in the past he was the ancient capital of the state of the attack, therefore in Karim and around her many ruins of ancient pyramids, similar to Egypt, but smaller than the size. South of the city, just 1 km., lying Jebel Bakal – 100 meter hill, which was sacred to the Egyptian XVIII dynasty. From its vertex there is an excellent view of the Nile and the adjacent neighborhood. At the base of the hill is Temple of Amona, Practically coping the famous temple in Karnak. This place was once surrounded by six smaller temples, and their ruins, which survived fragments of sculptural compositions and hieroglyphs, always attracted increased attention of tourists. A little further to the south is another interesting historical object – Underground graves in the Kurru with painted patterns with walls and vaults.
Jabel Marra (Jabal Mara) – A completely luxurious area of small mountains in the province of Darfur (Western Sudan, 120 km. north-west of nyala), always a popular trekking zone. In the center of Jebel Marra there is an extinct volcanic crater with a lake, called "Eye Jebel Marra". There is a small, but picturesque waterfall near the village Kuaila and some of the hot springs directly near the crater volcano.
National parks Boma, Jider, Saterna, Numule and etc. Now are in running. Dinder National Park, The size of only 16 thousand. acres, located 400 km. Southeast of Khartoum in East Sudan, on the border with Ethiopia. Lions, monkeys, giraffes, leopards, curls, antelopes and many types of birds still feel freely at his expanses, but to get here, our own vehicles are needed, preferably jeeps – the roads are here in a completely terrible state. The best time to visit the park – from January to April.
