Suakin, a city in north-eastern Sudan, is a site of outstanding historical significance and a crucial Red Sea port since Egyptian times. The city is situated on the pilgrimage routes of both Muslims and Christians: it was a main transhipment point for the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and also connected Africa to Jerusalem for Christian communities who wanted to visit the Holy Sepulchre.
ICCROM-ATHAR, responding to a request by the Government of Sudan and with the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah (UAE), has decided to take the lead in a plan to rehabilitate and conserve the city. “We kick-started the process with a four-day visit,” says Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM-ATHAR Regional Conservation Centre, “where we met with local authorities and various stakeholders. We assessed the situation with several experts. After that we developed an action plan to attract donors and partners.”
The port on Suakin Island was of strategic importance to powerful empires. It was a meeting point for different cultures, a point of contact between Africa, the Middle East and Europe, with visitors from as far away as Asia. This mixture of different cultures, from Venetian to Ottoman, is visible in the city’s architectural diversity, which ultimately came to be known as Red Sea architecture. In the old city, both mosques and churches are present. Every building was made of spectacular coral stone, and the walls were decorated with finely detailed wood and stone claddings. Underwater archaeological investigations would certainly uncover important ship remains, bearing witness to the port’s use over thousands of years by different cultures.
During the 19th century Suakin changed again, becoming a hub in the slave trade from Eastern Africa. As the slave trade decreased, the port lessened in importance as trade moved almost 50 kilometres north to Port Sudan.
Nowadays the old coral-built city stands in ruins; it has been abandoned in recent years, and several buildings are at risk of collapse. Nonetheless, the site is well-known worldwide and the Sudanese consider it to be very important.
“We are preparing an ambitious sustainable development project to restore the old town, serving first of all the local community that is suffering from unemployment and poverty,” clarifies Dr Aslan. “The local inhabitants will be the main beneficiaries. When the conservation and restoration process is complete, Suakin could well become a very important town for cultural and natural tourism.”
In consensus with stakeholders, ICCROM’s assessment mission selected the buildings to be restored and set guidelines for conservation procedures in accordance with international standards. This will support the World Heritage nomination file for the site.
The action plan includes the implementation of conservation work along the pilgrimage route, including the city gate and wall, the Al Hamiya building, the Masjid Al Majidi, the State School and the Sufi corner, in addition to the main gate of the island and several of its buildings. Some collapsed buildings will be consolidated in order to prevent further deterioration. Cooperation with the Sea Ports Corporation will ensure the protection of the site’s surroundings and marine life, taking into account the impact of development at the port. Furthermore, ICCROM–ATHAR will contribute to the implementation of national institutional capacity building through its programmes and courses.
“This project comprises a significant step in promoting and reviving the site in line with sustainable development approaches, and ultimately in achieving its potential for inscription on the World Heritage List,” concludes Dr Aslan. “The team of experts were welcomed by the local community and the Sudanese governmental entities, which have collectively expressed their endless appreciation and support for this initiative.”