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El Geneina
The city is on the southwestern border of Sudan,
close to the republic of Chad. El Geneina is the
hometown of the Messalit tribe and a transit and
customs outpost for persons travelling overland to
Chad, Cameroon, Niger and other countries of west-
ern Africa.
Nyala
Situated at the end of the western railway from Khar-
toum, Nyala is the capital of the South Darfur state
and the departure point for excursions to the Jebel
Marra. Meat and other food can be purchased for
treks through Jabel Marra. There are customs for-
malities for travellers leaving the Sudan for Chad or
Central Africa. Hotels and restaurants are available
and air connections to Khartoum are regular.
Jebel Mara
This extinct volcano of 3,070 metres high is located
in a range of mountains in western Darfur State with
waterfalls, rivers and volcanic lakes in an area of out-
standing beauty. The climate is mild with rain almost
the entire year, which allows for dense vegetation
and fruit trees such as citrus and apple and the cul-
tivation of cereals and vegetables. Jebel is home to
the Kudu gazelle. The town of Nyala lies at the foot
of the mountains and there is a good-quality road
between Nyala and Jebel.
Archeological sites
Sudan is one of the richest countries in the world in
terms of archeological sites. A large number of these
are located along the Northern borders in the Nuba
region. In 1964, the Aswan Dam built in lower Egypt,
many sites were flooded. Some artifacts could be
Meroe pyramids
saved and transported into the National Museum
which now has an impressive collection.
Meroe
The archeological site of Meroe is one of the most
impressive of the country. It is located four miles
north of Kaboushya, about four hour drive north of
Khartoum. The city of Meroe, built during the 4
th
century BC, was the capital of the kingdom and
contains the ruins of the royal palaces, temples and
a bathroom of Hellenistic inspiration. They have
been seriously destroyed by the Italian treasure
hunter Ferlini in the 19th century.
The Amun temple of Meroe is the second largest
sanctuary ever built in the country after the one
located at Gebal Barkel. These monuments reflect
the highly developed architectural techniques at
that time. Meroe was the political capital too, and
a very important religious centre, as the number
of temples shows. The Sun temple represents a
unique architecture in the Sudan. It is located be-
tween the royal city and the pyramids. It was prob-
ably built to celebrate a military victory of the King
of Meroe.
Al Nagaa
Located 59 kilometers north east of Khartoum and
35 kilometers east of Wad Bannaga, it is one of the
most important sites of the Meroe civilization. It
hosts the Abadamak Lion temple, dedicated to the
lion headed god, build by King Nitkami and Queen
Amani Teari during the 1
st
century BC, the Roma-
nian kiosk, with its Romanian-egyptian style and
the temple of God Amon.
Wad Bannaga
This site is located besides the Nile, about 60km
south of Meroe. The most important building on this
site is the palace of the Queen Amani Shaketo who
ruled during the 1
st
century BC.
Al Musawwarat Es Sufra
This site lies on “Wadi Albanat” valley, 15km east of
Al Nagaa, and 30 km of the Nile River and gathers
many temples, including the Queen Amani Shakeet
royal palace. The Apadamak temple has been erect-
ed here by King Arekamani (3
rd
century BC). This is
the earliest temple built for the Meroetic God.
The “Great Enclosure” at Musawwarat Es Sufra is
particular and unique in the whole Nile valley. This
is a vast complex of temples, corridors and statues
of elephant gods inscribed in the walls. The absence
of contemporary cemeteries and habitations leads
to the assumption that the site was a pilgrim center
where periodic religious events were celebrated.