 Mihrab and minbar in the former Schafa'i mosque | ||
| Sawākin · سواكن | ||
| State | Red Sea | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 43.337 (2009) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Sawākin, also Suakin, Arabic:سواكن, Sawākin, is a port city in Sudan at the Red sea. The remains of the old town still bear witness to the wealth and importance of what was once the most important Red Sea port city.
background
From the 15th to the 19th century, Sawākin was one of the most important Red Sea ports. The city was at the end of the pilgrimage route from West Africa. From the local port, Mecca pilgrims and goods such as precious metals and slaves were sent and precious woods were imported, which brought enormous wealth to the city. Since the 16th century, however, more and more Portuguese seafarers took control of the movement of goods. With the city built at the beginning of the 20th century Port Sudan Sawākin completely lost its importance as a port.
getting there
By plane
The closest airport is the 1 Port Sudan New International Airport
(IATA: PZU).
In the street
For several years there has been an asphalt road crossing Port Sudan and Sawākin ʿAtbara With al-Charṭūm connects.
Minibuses run several times a day between Sawākin and Port Sudan. The journey time is around 40 minutes. The 2 Sawakin bus station is about 10 minutes' walk from Sawākin Island. Motor rickshaws also leave the bus station.
By boat
There is a ferry connection between Sawākin and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The 3 Ferry terminal is located in the port.
- Baabud Ferries. Tel.: 996 2627 0000. The ferry runs three times a week, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The crossing takes about 13 hours. Vehicles can be transported.
- El Salam (Sorbat for Maritime Service). Tel.: 249 (0)31 182 9634. The ferry also runs three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
mobility
The ride with motor rickshaws is inexpensive.
Tourist Attractions
On the mainland
- 1 Taj as Sirr Mosque (مسجد السيد تاج السر الميرغني) (19 ° 6 ′ 28 ″ N.37 ° 19 '57 "E.)
- 2 City gate (بوابة كتشنر, Kitchener Gate). Part of the former city wall.(19 ° 6 ′ 19 ″ N.37 ° 19 ′ 44 ″ E)
- Hadāb Museum (متحف هداب)
port
- 3 port(19 ° 6 ′ 54 ″ N.37 ° 20 '42 "E.)
Sawākin Island
The 4 Sawākin Island can be reached from the mainland via the dam built in 1880. The houses were built from coral limestone blocks, which quickly weathered. So now all houses on the island have fallen into disrepair. Roofs and windows were made of hold. The decorative window grilles, the mashrabiya, are attractive. The important buildings are on the east side of the island.
A ticket is sold to foreigners at the end of the dam.
- 5 Shafa'i Mosque (المسجد الشافعي) (19 ° 6 ′ 43 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 17 ″ E)
- 6 Hanafi mosque(19 ° 6 ′ 46 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 15 ″ E)
- 7 El-Schinawi-Wikala(19 ° 6 ′ 46 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 15 ″ E)
- 8 Egyptian National Bank (البنك الأهلي المصري). Derelict building.(19 ° 6 ′ 42 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 20 ″ E)
- House of Khorschid Effendi
- Customs post
The Kitchener Gate, part of the former city wall
Remains of the former Egyptian National Bank
Former customs building
activities
shop
- Vegetable market near the Taj-al-Sirr mosque.
kitchen
There are numerous ful stalls in the city.
- 1 Mistero Seafood Restaurant (Al Garmoushi restaurant) (close to the dam to Sawākin Island). (19 ° 6 ′ 31 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 6 ″ E)
- 2 Shereef Fish Restaurant (مطعم الشريف للاسماك) (19 ° 6 ′ 30 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 3 ″ E)
accommodation
One must reckon with not being able to spend the night in Sawākin. Then an overnight stay is only in Port Sudan possible.
The hotel situation in the city itself is sobering.
- 1 El Amady (فندق العامودى) (19 ° 6 ′ 26 ″ N.37 ° 20 ′ 9 ″ E)
- Riad el-Salheen
- 2 Arab Plaza Hotel (عرب بلازا هوتيل) (19 ° 5 '56 "N.37 ° 20 ′ 0 ″ E)
- Abha Hotel
trips
- To Port Sudanthat is about 60 kilometers to the north.
