Sana’a Capital: Town of History

Sana’a is one of Yemen’s governates; it is situated at the center of the Yemeni plateau between two mountains in the Sana’a Basin. These mountains are the Nuqum and Ayban Mountains, and are on a height 2200 meters above sea level. Sana’a has a bright sun throughout the year except for a few weeks in the summer and spring, which are often cloudy. Generally, it is wonderfully fresh and moderate in summer and cold in winter. All districts and outskirts of Sana’a are mountainous.

Sana’a is considered one of the Islamic historical towns because it has the Old City of Sana’a that is a real miracle of old architecture. The old city of Sana’a is one of the most beautiful cities in Arabia and the Islamic World. The city is known by several names including the city of “ Sam ”. It is also said that the city was built by Shem, the son of Noah, following the flood. It is also called “ Azal ” but the most common name is “Sana’a”, which is mentioned in a number of ancient Yemeni inscriptions, and means “the protected”.

In Sana’a there are more than 50 mosques, five with domes and many with minarets, the most important of which is the Great Mosque, built during the life of Prophet Mohammed and ordered by him in the Eighth Hegira year 630 AD. There are many other mosques, which are not less beautiful or wonderful with respect to the style of minarets, domes and artistic embellishments.

Sana’a has the highest mountain in Arabia; the mountain of the Prophet Shueib, which is 3766 meters above sea level. It has also the most beautiful village Al-Hajara and the best quality of Yemeni coffee and grapes.

• Old Sana’a :
With its unique and marvelous architecture, Old Sana’a is in itself a living museum. The beauty of the city has inspired many writers, architects, poets, and even tourists. One cannot but imagine the talent and taste of the original architects of such a magnificent city. The market is considered to be one of the significant components of the Arabic Islamic cities and the markets of old Sana’a are regarded as a living and rare example of this.

There are ten such markets, each specializing in a certain craft or merchandise such as the Cloth market, Grain market, Silk market, Raisins market, Cattle market, Thread market, Coffee Husk market, Caps market, Carpet market, Salt market, Brassware market, Silverware market, Firewood market, all of which are perfumed with the scents of the East. There are about 15 steam baths in old Sana’a, which are a fundamental feature of the city, as baths are associated with cleanliness. It is said that the Persians introduced the baths. Since 1984, the UNESCO has listed Old Sana’a among the international heritage cities as “World Heritage of Mankind”.