Old Dongala

Old Dongala dates to the 5th century CE built as a citadel and royal residence. This is the citadel that stopped the Muslim invasion and kept Nubia Christian until a king converted in the 13th century. The 1st picture is of the citadel wall that they couldn't overcome. Some of that is likely due to the Nubian archers who were famous in the ancient world. Many Egyptian tombs show Nubian archers in their decoration, and Land of Bows was an ancient name for this region.
The 2nd and 3rd pictures are of the ruins of 2 of the many churches located here. The columns are the original granite. The floors are protected by replacing the sand.
The 4th picture looks out from the citadel over the "suburbs" outside the wall. Many of these houses are said to have been large, suggesting wealthy nobles and merchants.
The 5th picture is the Throne Hall, built on a rock outcrop east of the citadel in the 9th century. It is 2 stories with the throne room upstairs.
The last picture looks over a graveyard from the Islamic period. Those structure are Sufi shrines/tombs. These date to the 17th centuryRead more