THE MIDDLE & NORTH-WEST OF YEMEN
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Sana’a is the capital city of Republic of Yemen. Its altitude is 2190 meters
above sea level. Referring to the first inscriptions, Sana’a is dated back to
the first century AD. Yet Sana’a, as a citadel along the trade route between
Aden and Mecca, watching over a large seasonal market, is certainly older than
that. But, as mentioned in some historical books, Sana’a is one of the oldest
cities in the world. Some Yemeni tales say that Sana’a was founded by Noah’s son
Shem. After Shem, other religious notables (Jewish, Christian and Muslim) lived
there. During subsequent centuries Sana’a often served as a Capital, either of
the whole Yemen or of a small region in the midst of the highland plains. Once
Sana’a was a major stopover trade routes. Until today the old town of Sana’a is
still keep of its old architecture manner, wherefore it’s unique town & there
isn’t counterpart of it on the world. Places worth to visit are:
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- National Museum and close to it the mud tower with a stone house on the top at Tahrir Square.
- The old city of Sana'a and the ancient mud wall.
- Bab Al-Yemen and Souq Al-Melh which is divided into less than 40 sub markets, the spices market, Copper, Gold and Silver market and Jambiya market.
- Samsarat Al-Nahas and Al-Mansoura were galleries and handicrafts are displayed.
- View of the surroundings of Old City, whatever direction you take is looking at history itself, here you see the Yemeni architecture.
- Qa'a Al-Olify zone.
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Its far 15 km north west of Sana’a, an interesting place worth to visit, Imam
Yehia’s palace at Wadi Dahr known as the rock palace ( Dar Al-Hajar ). The
palace stands high on a steep red sandstone rock. It was built in the early 30’s
in a marvelous architectural style. It has also water wells dug inside the area
of the palace. Every Friday many people show their traditional dances in the
weddings at Wadi Dahr.
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Shibam Kawkaban stands on the edge of Sana’a basin, a mountain with a large flat
summit behind the town rising from 2500 to 2850 meters. It served as a capital
of a small independent state during the first century AD. It was known during
the weakening of Saba Kingdom and rising of Himyarite state whose capital was
Dhafar. Sabaean and Himyarite inscriptions can be found on the gate of Shibam,
especially in the mosque and in other older constructions. From 845 AD to 1004
AD, Shibam was again the capital.
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Is the place in Yemen to visit for the Yemeni passion for building villages on
the most inaccessible Mountain sites. Kawkaban, on the top mountain shadowing
Shibam, was built to serve as the Town’s fortification. During crises the
inhabitants were evacuated to the fortress. The only door of the Town’s gate is
still closed and locked each night. From the cliff’s edge besides the steer 350
meters drop, there is a very good view over the vast plaint of fields. Below far
to the north, a mountain is visible, the low-lying Town on Thula and its
mountain fortress are 9 km from Shibam. On the southern horizon, you may be able
to see the peak of Jabal Anabi Shu’ayb, the highest mountain in Yemen. At the
foot of Kawkaban one will spot Wadi Al-Na’eem which was the Capital of Imam
Sharaf Uddin.
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It’s far 42 km Northwest of Sana’a. It is a remarkable ancient town built at the
eastern foot of a mountain near a gently sloping basin of terraced fields with a
fortress at the top of a mountain to shelter the inhabitants during wars. Thula
is a rare example of almost perfectly preserved highland town of lower stone
houses. The walled town is entirely built with stones, so that from a distance
you would see or hardly suspect the presence of a town. Friezes and wall
textures give houses variation, despite the fact that all are built from the
same material. Near the northern and southern gates one finds very well
preserved aqueducts and beautiful carved water cistern. More cisterns are found
also and the old domes mark the graves of Imams.
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A walk along the steep mountain paths across the town offers a magnificent view
over Tawilah and you would also glimpse the other valley behind those huge
rocks. The famous market days in Tawilah are Wednesday and Sunday.
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It far 165 km west of Sana’a. It is a beautiful mountainous town with very old
houses on top of hills in the middle of the town and the new buildings spread
down the slopes. The stone architecture of Mahwit is related to that of Thula
east of Shibam. Stone decorations include friezes, inlays and large beautiful
windows are set at floor level. Mahwit villages and mountains make the area
excellent for hiking. Mahwit is an important place of the highlands, although it
cannot boast a glorious history.
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Its beautiful landscapes with dry mountainous climate. Its old centenary
intensely terraced countryside. On mountains, exciting projections take small
villages. They are joined under each other through carefully lay on paths.
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Lies in Haraz Mountains. It is almost 82 km west of Sana’a and it is 2200 meters
high. The mountain village of Manakha is the center of intensely cultivated
terraced countryside. The village of Manakha had a strategic location during the
Ottoman occupation of Yemen, for it was protecting supply lines between Sana’a
and Hodeida in Tihama. Manakha is an excellent base for trekking. Small villages
and hamlets lie scattered everywhere between the terraces across the steep
slopes.
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It is about 6 km south west of Manakha. It is part of Haraz region which is full
of fortified villages built on hills. The village dating from the 12th century
AD and served as an important fortification during the Turkish occupation of
Yemen.
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An Important sanctuary of the faith community of the Ismailian, as the religious
minority founded their fort in Haraz Mountains. A pilgrimage feast for some
people coming from India takes place here every year.
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NORTH WITH SA’ADA
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An old walled town in the middle of cultivated fields about 50 km north-west of
Sana’a. The town has both stone as well as clay constructions. Some of the
houses have stones with Pre-Islamic inscriptions. Amran town wall is made of
stone except an area which is mostly built of mud architecture.
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It’s located 171 km north of Sana’a. Shaharah is one of the most famous mountain
fortress villages in Yemen. It is situated on top of the 2600 meters Shaharah
Mountain. It actually consists of two parts, located on neighbouring mountain
parts. They are connected over 300 meters deep gorge by a stone bridge, a
remarkable feat of early 17th century engineering. Shahara has 23 water cisterns
dug deeply into the rocks. During the 16-17 centuries Shahara played an
important role as a base for resistance against the Ottoman Turks who occupied
most of the highlands of Yemen.
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Sa’ada is located on the important trading course towards of north & its far 242
km from Sana’a, it was one of the important historical centers in Yemen. At the
time surrounded from powerful loam wall, holds they at the inner great fete and
the for the Zaidian so important Al-Hadi mosque, Imam Yahya is buried here with
11 later Imams, under 12 cupolas.
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Places worth to visit are:
- The Old City.
- Al Hadi Mosque.
- Jewish Market.
- The city Wall of Sa’ada and the City Portal.
- The Ancient Castle of Sonara.
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The route from Amran to Kohlan and Hajjah carry out a picture book landscape of
the Yemen. The village consists of a over and of a unthcity with small market.
From Kohlan Mountain one can see good scenery of scattered villages at the peaks
of the mountain. The beautifully stone architecture of the places can you
explore, by the footway between both districts a long continuous.
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Short behind Kohlan crosses the route that subtropically Wadi Sharas on some
about 1000 meters above the Sea level, before they increase again on 3500 meters
after Hajjah. In the Town can one see for the former house of the Imam and the
Ottoman citadel. A few older houses have Turkish decorations on your facades.
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GREEN MOUNTAINS OF YEMEN
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Taiz is located at the foot of Saber Mountain. It is of great interest to make a
tour visit to the top of Jabal Saber (altitude 3200 meters above Sea level) to
have a spectacular view over Taiz basin. In the alleyways of the old city take
place daily a colourful trading with the products of the region.
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Places worth to visit :
- Al-Ashrafia Mosque built in 13-14th centuries.
- Cairo Fortress, stands on a cliff, high above the city.
- National Museum, the former Palace of Imam Ahmed.
- Yafurs village & Ibn Alwan Mosque (45 km. from Taiz).
- Ad-Dhabab Sunday weekly Market (15 km. from Taiz).
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It was the residence Town the queen Arwa Bint Ahmed. The picturesque at a rock
spur edified small town, belong in the absolute Standart programme of all
travelling. The visit one of the most beautiful Mosques in Yemen (Queen Arwa
Mosque) should not to delay going.
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The unique culture landscape this region is minted by the typing terrace fields,
light greenery forestry and a multitude from petty stone villages on the
mountain flanks. Ibb reach to in the meantime over both sides of a mountain
saddle. Almost hidden on a hill located the old town, surrounded of a net from
passes.
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THE COASTS AREA (RED SEA COAST)
The coastline of Red Sea has one hot climate and many interesting Cities.
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Hodeidah is one of the modern important city in Yemen. The city offers a
lovingly center, with of his olden Market (Al-Mitrak) and much historical
buildings, as well extensive fishing market.
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Zabid was over centenaries that famous religiously center in Yemen of until end
of the first millenium owned Zabid one of the most important universities of
Islam. Beautiful examples for the typical Tihama of stone architecture finds one
here in the whole city. The houses built of corals stone, the receipts with
complicates ornament ribbons. It is still many places to visit are obviously the
market and Mosques. There is also good view over the Town and environs from the
tower that lies in the mid of the town.
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Khawkha is a fisherman’s village that boasts one of the most beautiful beaches
along the Red Sea. Almost next right to the beach you will find forest of Palm
trees. The placement finds here in romantically airy huts. One can here rent
fishing boat.
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THE DESERT AND WADI HADRAMUOT
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One of the famous archaeological site in Yemen. Once it was the Capital of the
Kingdom of Saba there are here much to inspect, above all the antique Dam (one
of the world wonder of the antiquity), the famous Bilqis Temple and eventual the
Ruins of old Marib.
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THE DESERT (AL-ABR & RAMLAT AS-SABATAYN)
“The sands both the Saba”, city the Queen Saba and Shabwah. You picture
determine close to the wide denies, quartz mountains and at east margin natural
the spur of the limestone massiveness. In the soft swung dunes fields lived a
Bedouins of with theirs Camel and goats herds. The distance between Marib and
Sey’un amounts ca. 540 km.
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The second greatest Valley on the Arabian Peninsula, as “The Oldest country of
the world” from the first European traveler described. The valley is dug on them
limestone massive of the Djol, theirs walls a wonder from excitation and
colorfully negotiate.
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It is the largest and liveliest city in valley of Hadramout. Sey’un is in the
middle of Wadi Hadramut and is called “The Town of a Million Palm Tress”.
Seiy’un aged old market place, is situated on a major route. The Sultan Palace
in Seiy’un is the most famous of all south Yemen Palaces, which is converted
into a Museum.
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Tarim is the important Islamic center of the Hadramut. The most famous mosques
is Al-Mihdar, is the symbol of the town. Its 50 meters high square Minaret from
loam operating in every pictorial description of Wadi Hadramut. The townscape
especially minted from the Palaces the reach trade people. Determined by the
poky trade contact to Indonesia are those Palaces hold at the style colonial
time constructions and from such an strong contrast to the traditional
architecture at the Wadi. In one of the summer Palace is Today accommodation a
very simplemindedly, but nice atmospheric hotel.
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Shibam is a tight collection of approximately 500 Skyscrapers. The old town
located in the middle of the valley, surrounded of a loam wall. The Skyscrapers
look far over the flat bottom of valley, and add up to the first, from mud
built, skyscrapers our earth.
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The most beautiful Valley of Yemen, with expanded dates Palm tress and much
petty villages on the valley flanks of the Hadramut.
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Hajjarain is a remarkable stone village aged over 1000 years and lies at a top
rocky slope of Daon valley, which rises up the mountain right to the left of the
road. Having strolled through the narrow alleyways, one arrives at the top of
the village for a marvelous view over the valley.
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It’s a petite village on half distance among Al-Hajjarain and Al-Khuraybah.
Ancillary the old mud architecture meets one here on colonial time architecture
from Indonesia. The houses be here gaudy with Ornament.
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A attractive way, across pebble river bed, from shady numerous Palm tress, leads
to that place, the located at headwater of the famous Daon Valley.
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THE COASTLINE ON THE ARABIAN SEA
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It’s one of the olden Seaports of Yemen on Arabian Sea (Indian Ocean). Mukalla
was found as small fishing village, begin there is century. It is important
trading center and is the second largest city in south Yemen. The most
impressive sight in Mukalla used to be the coastline of the old town. The chain
of white houses, built next to the water front, seemed to rise straight out the
water. The old town of Mukalla, counts to the most beautiful old towns of the
Yemen. Mukalla has some beautiful and historical buildings, some new Diving
centers are in the city.
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Bir Ali is a little fishing village on the coast of the Indian Ocean, with a
long, close grained, whitely beach. In the adjacency from Bir Ali located the
ruins of the antique incense port of Qana. The Ruins Qana itself are placed on
hill which called Husn Al-Ghurab (Crow Rock) to west of the present village.
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The new commercial Capital of Yemen, by reason the strategically location was
formerly the most important ports of the world. Aden is built on a site of past
volcanic activity. The old city is scattered around the almost 600 meters high
volcano that forms cap of Aden in the olden district of Crater lie the most
interesting places:
- The famous Cisterns of At-Tawila (Water reservoirs).
- The Al-Aidroos Mosque, built in 14th century AD.
- The National Museum (former Sultans Palace).
- Aden Minaret.
- Sira Castle.
- The spotless Gulf of Aden coast beaches.
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