Ghazali Monastery

Ghazali stands in the Wadi Abu Dom on the edge of the Bayuda desert, a monastery of the Makurian period whose church survives with walls standing to a good height in stone and brick, along with the monastic buildings, a refectory and cemeteries with inscribed grave markers in Greek, Coptic and Old Nubian. It was probably founded by the Makurian king Merkurios in the late seventh century and functioned until the thirteenth; Polish archaeologists excavated it between 2012 and 2018. Iron smelting sites nearby suggest the community was working metal on a considerable scale.

What you'll find

• The church - the stone and brick walls standing to a good height.
• The monastic buildings - the refectory and living quarters around the church.
• The inscribed graves - markers in Greek, Coptic and Old Nubian.
• The smelting sites - the ironworking remains near the monastery.

When to go

November to February is the cool season. March to May is extremely hot with no shade. The track in needs four-wheel drive.

Things to know

There is no shade, water or facility at the site. The track in requires a suitable vehicle. Travel in Sudan requires arrangements made well in advance.

Nearby

Karima is northeast, and the Bayuda desert runs southwest.

Key facts