Destinations

Sana'a

Sana'a is the capital of Yemen and the centre of San‘a’a  Governorate; however the city itself is not part of the Governorate, but forms the separate administrative district of "Amanat Al-Asemah".

Sana'a is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. At an altitude of 2,300 metres (7,500 ft), it is also one of the highest capital cities in the world. Sana'a has a population of approximately 1,748,000 (2010) making it Yemen's largest city. The old city of Sana'a has a distinctive visual character due its unique architectural characteristics, most notably expressed in its multi-story buildings decorated with geometric patterns.

Old City 

The old fortified city has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years and contains a wealth of intact architectural gems. It was declared a World Heritage City by the United Nations in 1986. Efforts are underway to preserve some of the oldest buildings, some of which, such the Samsarh and the old Mosque, are more than 1400 years old. Surrounded by ancient clay walls which stand 9–14 metres (30–46 ft) high, the old city contains more than 100 mosques, 12hammams (baths) and 6,500 houses. Many of the houses resemble ancient skyscrapers, reaching several storeys high and topped with flat roofs. They are decorated with elaborate friezes and intricately carved frames and stained-glass windows.

One of the most popular attractions is Suq al-Milh (Salt Market), where it is possible to buy not only salt but also bread, spices, raisins, cotton, copper, pottery, silverware, and antiques (both fake and real). The majestic 7th-centuryJami' al-Kabir (Great Mosque) is one of the oldest in the Muslim world. The Bāb al-Yaman (Yemen Gate) is an iconized entry point through the city walls and is more than 1000 years old. a commercial area of the old city is Al Madina, where development is proceeding rapidly. In addition to three large hotels, there are numerous stores and restaurants. The area also contains three parks and the President's palace. 

Wadi Dhahr

Wadi Dhahr is located 14 km to the northwest of Sana’a and is considered to be the most important recreation area for the city of Sana’a. Here all kinds of fruit are grown. In the center of the wadi perches Dar Al-Hajar (Rock Palace), a palace built on top of an enormous rock dating back to 1786 AD, and ordered by Imam Mansour Ali Bin Mehdi Abbas. In the 1930s, Imam Yahya Hameed Al-Din added the upper stories and annexes and used it as a rest house. There is an ancient well piercing the rock from top to bottom as well as an old rocky graveyard. It is nowadays on of the main tourist attractions. In addition there are a number of ancient monuments scattered within the wadi.

Shibam-Kawkaban

Shibam is historically known as Shibam Aqyan. It was an important center for whart is historically known as “ Sama’ai Triad” during the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries AD. The ancient town is now in ruins. Shibam in Sabean comes from the verb Shabam which means the “ Goat” or cool and is a name of many places in Yemen like Shibam Haraz, Shibam Hadhramwt, Shibam al Ghiras Kawkaban. The classical sources refer it to Shibam Bin Abdullah Bin Asa’ad Bin Jashem Bin Hashid and the town was renewed as Shibam Aqyan in attribution to Aqyan Bin Zara’ah Bin Little Saba who is one of the Himyarite Kings. It was mentioned in old inscription as Shibam Yahbas. The ancient Yemenite Geographer referred to it as Shibam Yafur who resided in it and built citadels and walls in addition tom castles, houses, mosques and vapor baths in addition to markets. A lot of the facades of Shibam are built with old stones some of which are carrying Mousnad inscriptions and it altitude is 2300 above sea level. At present the remaining Islamic era related houses are distributed into religious building such as mosques, tombs, Civil building like the Old Central Market, the Customs Office “ Samsarat”, Government Office “ Employees Hall” and the Old vapor baths in addition to warlike building represented in the wall of the city, its gates, towers and all of them revert to the Ya’afuride Dynasty which adopted Shibam as its Capital as of 829 Ad to 1100. It includes many archaeological and historical features of which are:

Customs Office (Caravansary):

Located near to the big Mosque at the distance of almost 75 meters and is overlooking the central market of the city. It is building comprising of three storeys and was built by Mrs. Aminah Bint Abdul Kadir who conferred it as an Endowment for Shibam.

The Wall OF THE City:

Shibam Kawkaban is fortified naturally, surrounded by the Mount of Kawkabn from three directions which can not be reached as for the remaining wall in the northern side of the city at the vicinity of the Old Bath, there are the remains of cylindrical towers, through which there are openings for arrow throwing.

The Entrance (The Main Gate of the City):

Shibam in the past had four Gates; none of them remains except the gate lying at the main road leading thereto. The renovation works were carried out for this gate, the latest of which is 1913 AD.

Kawkaban:

An ancient historical centers and a fortified citadel about 2800 m above sea level, the city is walled from the north and is fortified naturally from the other directions. It was a capital of Bani Sharaf Al-Deen in the 9^th century AH (15 the century AD) . It is cauterized by beautiful architectural design. Most of its houses were destroyed in the past and were rebuilt. It was reputed as a school of music. It is said that it was named so because it had two palaces decorated with precious stones. Each of them was called “ a star” (Literally Planet”, so it is Kawkaban (two stars) attributed to these two palaces.

The city Of Manakh14ah:

This city lies in the Haraz mountain range surrounded by terraces situated between Baih fort in the north and the fort of Shaibam Haraz to the south and is at 2,200m above sea–level. There is a daily market in Manakha for the inhabitants of the surrounding mountain villages.

In the past it was an important collection point for the coffee crop before being transported to Hodiedah and Mokha by camel caravans. Manakha is an excellent area for trekking because f the many nearby villages perched on the edge of the mountains. One that deserves special mention is Al-Halrah, one of Yemen’s most beautiful villages.

Al-Hajrah Village

Al-Hajrah is a few kilometers to the west of Mankha. Its high-rise stone houses are some eight stories high and some were estimated hundreds of years old overlooking very steep valleys with beautiful terraces. It is not far from the historical Masar fort, which forms the first line of defense for the village from the west side. This fort is the very same fort where Ali Mohammed Al-Sulayhi emerged as the founder of the Sulayhide Dynasty

(1047-1138 AD. The Ottomans stationed their cannons here to protect the delivery of military supplies to Sana’a from the red sea.

Al-Hajrah Village Eastern Haraz:

To the east of Haraz there are many attractive villages on both sides of the road leading to Hutaib where the tomb of the Islamaeli scholar Hatim  Bin Ibrahim Al-Hamdani (16^th century AD) can be found this is an important  shrine for the followers of the Isma’aaeli sect who make annual visit from countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Madagascar to this and other Ismaeli shrines situated in various parts of Yemen.

It must be mentioned that the Governorates of Sana’a is rich in archaeological sites and tourist attractions in areas such as Arhab, Sanhan Bani Matar, Raimah, Khawlan, Haymatain, Ashmour and the mountains of Eyal Yazzid, Nihem and Bani Bahlool to name a few.