Suakin Island's History and Architecture

Abstract

Suakin Island located in East of Sudan on West coast of the Red Sea, is safe harbour city cause of its natural geographical structure and it has been used extensively throughout the history due to its strategic location. The architectural texture created from the coral rocks enriched especially after the arrival of the Ottomans in the region. Suakin was abandoned with establishment of Port Sudan, port city located North of the Suakin, and it has been ruined since the second half of 20th century. The island, which is not inhabited and in ruins today, is being restored by TİKA. This study aims to examine  history and architecture of the island about which there is not enough Turkish sources. It also focuses on important buildings on the island, architectural texture and transformation after British occupation.