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Sana'a
as a Name: |
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Sana'a was called by ancient Yemenites capital of
Yemen and the Metropolis of "Arabia Felix"
by the Romans. It said that is was founded by Shem, the son of Noah
and hence used to be called Sam City or Azal a Grandson of Shem.
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Location
and Historical Significance: |
| Sana'a lies on top of the midland heights plateau,
bounded to the west by mount Ayban, to the east mount Naqum, Hiziaz
to the south, Hadda to the Southwest, Rawda and Wadi Dahr to the
north and northwest. It lies between latitudes 15-21 and 12-44
longitude. It is 2400 meters above sea level |
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Climate: |
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Moderate in summer and cold in winter its annual
temperature average is 20-celsius.
It has a breezy air through the year and is always
washed by the sun.
Sana'a is one of the oldest living cities in the
world. |
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Sana'a
– A renewed history: |
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Since Thousands of years, now Sana'a as an ancient
city still maintains its architectural heritage until this day with
its gardens despite its being subjects to havoc keeps its customs
and traditions until this very and recovered from each disaster
stronger. |
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Artistic
Sana'a: |
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Walking down one of its lanes you shall surely
come face to face with history and the odors of the pas looking at
the embellished Qamariyas and the reflection of architecture, the
market and spices make you feel in a living museum and a real time
capsule. |
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Social
life and Traditions |
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Sana'a is fill traditional heritage with us
various costumes and variety customs in addition to its unique
folklore and music as well as cuisine. |
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Thousands
of Souvenirs: |
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Sana'a is characterized by its ancient markets,
where there is a separate market for each commodity such as Salt
Market, Gold Market, Silver or Mokhlas Market, Copper Market, Iron
Smith Market, Foods Market, Raisins….etc. there you shall notice the
hustle and bustle of the outgoing and incoming clients having
different colors and a variety of sounds, small lanes and narrow
shops where you can have many souvenirs. |
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Yemeni
Agate Manufacturing: |
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Agate Manufacture is one of the handicrafts of the
old city of Sana'a and finds local and external demand due to the
unique find of its raw material in the country,. It is used to adorn
belts, jewelries and rings etc.. let alone its having some religious
demand by certain Muslim Sects outside Yemen such as the twelfthists
in KSA, Bahrain, Iraq and Iran. |
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Sana'a
Wall and it Gates: |
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Prior to the revolution of Yemen, the city used to
have wall with seven gates. Unfortunately, now remnants of that wall
are available only in Bab Al-Yemen and parts of the northern wall. |
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The
city gates were: |
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Bab AL-Yemen,
Bab Shiuob, Bab AL-Sabah, Bab Sitran / Alcasr,
Bab Alshakadiff, Bab Arom,
Bab Khozima (for Funerals). |
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Buildings: |
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Sana'a Buildings characterize Sana'a with their
multistory and unique architecture, the ground floor is used for
storage. The first floor is used for occasions, the second for women
and children while the higher ones are used by men, while the last
floor is built in a rectangular manner with low wide windows in
order to see the surroundings. |
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Traditional
Bathe: |
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Sana'a is famous for its vapor bathe which date
back to the prismatic era, the mast important of which is Al-Maidan
Traditional Vapor Bath which is characterized by its beautiful
architecture and was built by the Ottoman Vali Hassan Pasha in
1597AD while Saba and Yasser date back to the preislamic era. |
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Ghomdan Palace: |
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This ancient palace was a miraculous structure and
was built by King Eli Sharah Yahsub; it consisted of twenty floors,
the last of which was built out of colored alabaster
For pictures go to
Gallery |
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Mahweet &
Tawila:
Top↑ |
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Although the bustling market town of Al-Mahweet hasn't much to offer
the traveler (beside an attractive settings), the 125km journey west
of Sana'a makes a visit well worthwhile. The road takes you through
one of the most fertile regions in Yemen, On the way look out for
the fruit, coffer and tobacco plantations (in between the qat).
Every hill apparently has a fort or defensive village perched on its
peak. Perhaps the most dramatic of these is At-Tawila. From the 15th
century to the mid-18th century, the town served as an important
coffee-collecting point (as it was transported on its way to the
coast). During this time At-Tawila's grand fort was built.
For pictures go to
Gallery |
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Manakha &
Hajjarah:
Top↑ |
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Manakha like Kawkaban, Manakha, makes a useful base from
which to hike to the surrounding hilltop villages in the Haraz
Mountains. Many of the hike you through some lovely, unspoilt
scenery. Hajjarah lying 5km west of Manakha is the 11th
century hilltop village of Al-Hajjarah. With its spectacular setting
and century-old tower houses (some up to eight story's), it is often
considered one of Yemen's prettiest towns, It also makes another
good base from Mindful of the milieu, the Ottomans set up their
cannons here to ensure the safe passage of arms on their way to
Sana'a from the Red Sea.
For pictures go to
Gallery |
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Wadi Dahr:
Top↑ |
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Situated one for km north west of sana'a is the fertile Wadi Dahr, in
the center of which stands the famous 'rock palace' Dar Al-Hajar,
well known for its spectacular position on a spire of rock the
five-story summer residence was built by an imam in 1786. For pictures go to
Gallery |
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Thula
(Thilla):
Top↑ |
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Lying around 9km north of Shibam is the historic, fortified village
of Thilla. Formerly an important theological center, it's today
known for its lovely architecture. An impressive stone wall
surrounds the town making for a memorable arrival through one of its
two gates.
For pictures go to
Gallery |
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Shibam & Kawkaban:
Top↑ |
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Shibam
Lying at 2300m above sea level, at foot of Jebal Kawkaban
(2800m), is the ancient village of Shibam. Dating from the 2nd
century AD, it became am important capital for the local Yafurid
dynasty in the 9th century, when its grand mosque - one of the
oldest in Yemen - was built. Shibam
Kawkaban
Perched dramatically on the top of Jebal Kawkaban is the
remarkable, During the 15th century, it served as a capital to the
Bani Sharaf Al-Deen dynasty and was once renowned for its
architecture, including the ancient cisterns, which once kept the
town in water. when suffering raids in their town, the citizens of
Shibam would seek shelter up there.
For pictures go to
Gallery |
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