Discover Jebel Barkal
Meaning ‘Holy Mountain’ in Arabic, Jebel Barkal rises out of the flat desert landscape and was once an important landmark for caravans making their way along Nubian trade routes. Looming over Karima, it is here that most of the Kushite ruins are found.
A series of ruined temples litter the area around the foot of the mountain. First established almost 3,500 years ago, these temples were extended and rebuilt over the following millennium. A number of impressive granite rams, which once lined an avenue towards the river, still survive. Amongst the ruins is the Temple of Mut, built by Taharqa, the last Kushite king to rule Egypt. This rock-cut sanctuary preserves fine reliefs and unusual pillars in the shape of the God Bes.