Soba (city)

Soba, located on the Blue Nile in central Sudan, was the capital of the medieval Nubian kingdom of Alodia from the 6th century until around 1500 CE. The city was built primarily of red brick and included notable structures such as a Meroitic temple converted into a Christian church. Despite being described as large and wealthy in the 10th century, modern archaeological investigations have revealed it to have been a moderate center. The site, covering approximately 275 hectares, has been under threat from modern development, with only a small portion excavated. Recent interdisciplinary projects aim to further understand Soba's topography and spatial structure, revealing significant features such as a street grid and separate architectural complexes.