Old Sana'a, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sana'a, Yemen.
The old city contains over 6,000 multi-story houses built with rammed earth, decorated with white patterns and stained glass windows at 2,200 meters elevation.
The settlement dates back to the 6th century BC, establishing itself as a major center for spreading Islam with the construction of the Great Mosque in 630 AD.
The narrow streets house traditional markets selling silver jewelry, woven textiles, and local spices, maintaining centuries-old trading practices from the Arabian Peninsula.
Visitors need permits from local authorities to access certain areas of Old Sana'a, and photography of residential buildings requires permission from inhabitants.
The distinctive tower houses reach heights of up to eight stories, incorporating natural cooling systems through thick walls and strategic window placement.
Location: Old City District
Location: Sanaa
Elevation above the sea: 2,200 m
Website: http://sanaacity.com
GPS coordinates: 15.35510,44.21450
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:45
Yemen offers photographers subjects ranging from the ancient mud architecture of Sanaa to volcanic craters and the geological formations of Socotra. The Old City of Sanaa presents multi-story tower houses decorated with white gypsum patterns, while Shibam in Hadhramaut displays mud-brick high-rises dating from the 16th century. The fortress of Kawkaban sits atop a high plateau, the village of Hababah demonstrates traditional mountain architecture, and Shaharah Bridge connects two mountain peaks at an elevation exceeding 8,500 feet (2,600 meters). Socotra features Detwah Lagoon, dragon blood trees and limestone caves within its distinct ecosystem. The crater of Haradha Damt is an extinct volcano near Damt, the Marib Dam represents Sabaean engineering from antiquity, and the ruins of Arsh Balqis mark an ancient temple site. Wadi Dawan cuts through Hadhramaut with palm groves and mud villages, Jabal al-Nabi Shu'ayb reaches 12,028 feet (3,666 meters) as the highest peak on the Arabian Peninsula, and Zabid preserves its role as a historic center of Islamic scholarship. Sira Fortress in Aden occupies a volcanic rock above the harbor, Dar al-Hajar in Wadi Dhahr is an 18th-century palace built on a rock outcrop, and Al Saleh Mosque in Sanaa dates from 2008.
Marib Dam
110.6 km
Barran Temple
121.3 km
Ghumdan Palace
233 m
Dar al-Hajar
13.5 km
Jabal An-Nabi Shu'ayb
26.7 km
Al Saleh Mosque
3.3 km
Great Mosque of Sana'a
229 m
Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba
121.2 km
Shaharah Bridge
107.3 km
Yemen Gate
456 m
Sanctuary of the Queen of Sheba
122.6 km
Sirwah
86.9 km
National Museum of Yemen
910 m
Palace of Queen Arwa
159.5 km
Al-Bakiriyya Mosque
234 m
Shibam-Kawkaban
37.5 km
Al-Mahdi Mosque
615 m
Yemen Military Museum
1.1 km
Kaminahu
108.2 km
Talha Mosque
254 m
Salah al-Din Mosque
253 m
Al Hudayda Castle
150.3 km
Ancient Dam of Ma’rib
113 km
Ma’rib Ancient Historical Old City
120.7 km
Archaeological site of Marib
120.3 km
Almaqah Temple
87 km
Haradha
149.1 km
Bab Al-Yaman market
315 mReviews
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