⛪ Old Dongola
Sudan
About This Sacred Site
Old Dongola was the capital of the medieval Christian kingdom of Makuria, which thrived from the 6th to the 14th century along the Nile in present-day Sudan. The site contains the remains of several churches, a cathedral, a monastery, and the throne hall, adorned with Christian frescoes depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Nubian kings. Makuria was one of the last Christian kingdoms in Africa and successfully resisted Arab-Muslim expansion for centuries. The site's churches and art are among the most important examples of Nubian Christian heritage.
Key Facts
- •Capital of the Christian kingdom of Makuria from the 6th to 14th century
- •Contains church ruins with remarkable Christian frescoes
- •Makuria resisted Arab-Muslim expansion for over 600 years
- •The Throne Hall (now a mosque) contains both Christian and Islamic decoration
- •Polish archaeological teams have been excavating the site since the 1960s
Location
Coordinates: 18.2222, 30.7500
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