Suakin, Former port city on the Red Sea coast, Sudan
Suakin is a former port city on Sudan's Red Sea coast with a natural lagoon harbor and an island connected to the mainland by a causeway called the Geyf. The settlement spreads across this geographical space and shows the former importance as a trading port.
The city was Sudan's main port for over 3000 years until the early 1900s when trade shifted to the newly built city of Port Sudan. This shift marked the end of its peak years as a leading trading center.
The buildings on the island show the traditional architectural style of the Red Sea region, constructed from coral blocks with elaborate decorative details. This building method shapes the appearance of the settlement today and tells of a time when craftspeople used the sea's natural materials.
Visitors should expect uneven ground and crumbling structures, so comfortable shoes and caution are necessary. The best time to explore is in the cooler months when the climate is less harsh.
The coral building ruins on the island are the last remaining examples of medieval Red Sea coastal architecture in northeastern Africa. These structures show how well coral stone resisted saltwater and form a rare architectural heritage from the region.
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