Amran Govrenorate
It comprises of many archaeological, historic and tourist cities and
sites among of which are:
Amran City:
It is one of the important cities situated on the historical trading
route known as As’ad road.
The city overlooks the vast farming area of Amran known as Qa’a-al-Boun,
and is 50km to the north of Sana’a near to the side of the asphalt road
leading to Sa’da, at the crossroads leading to Hajja in the north-west.
Amran’s old city was encircled by a clay rampart, most of which still
exist together with the old eastern gates. The features of the old
market are still apparent. There are many stone inscriptions at the
entrance of the city and on the facades of houses, suggesting that Amran
was one of the important sites in Yemen’s ancient history.
Amran is known for not only its distinctive architectural style, which
heavily uses adobe blocks, but also for the variety of crops, which are
grown there. There are many archaeological sites in the surroundings
area. The city is considered to be one of the centers of traditional
crafts, particularly leather works, and Friday, in Amran, is the weekly
market day where theses crafts can be viewed.
Raida:
Raida is situated 22km to the north of Amran on the Amran –Sa’da road
and is the ancient town, mentioned by Al-Hamdani (renowned Yemeni
historian), where the Tulfum Castle existed. It was said that Raida was
the area, which was mentioned in verses of the Holy Qur’an as the
“Hanging Castles”. There are no surviving historical hallmarks in the
city and one can only see scattered stones that give reference to a
bygone era.
A weekly market is held in Raida every Tuesday, with another held 2km
away to the east at Bait Harash. The archaeological site of Na’et is
near to
Raida.
Na’et Area
Na’et is situated 25km to the east of Raida across an unpaved path. It
is an important archaeological site standing on top of Jabal Thaneen
known historically as Na’et. It is one of the components of Sam’ai
historical triangle site, together with Shibam Aqyan and Shibam
Al-Gharass . The triangle that flourished during the decline of the
Sheba dynasty in Marib before the capital of ancient Yemen was moved
from Marib to Dhafoar Al-Molk “Yareem “. Many historical castles and
water reservoirs were said to have existed in Na’et but nothing seems to
have survived. Many antiquities from the area were moved to Sana’a.
Polygonal pillars, some of which are 5-6m high, from the Dome of Imam
Yahya (south of Dar Al-Saadah), which are in use in the National
Archaeological Museum, with others being installed by the gates of Dar
Al-Hoom , presently called Al-Wahda school.
Dhofar Dhi-bain
Dhofar Dhi-bain is, located approximately 30km to the north east of
Raida across an unpaved path. It got its name because of the Dhofar
archaeological fort, which stands to the north –east of Dhibain. The
fort boasts many ancient remains and Islamic monuments, such as forts,
castles and reservoirs, in addition to one of the most important
monuments. The mosque and Minaret of Imam Abdullah Bin Hamza, which was
built as a school at the onset of the 13th century AD and houses his
tomb. Dhofar Dhibain’s mosque is considered one of the most significant
historical mosque in Yemen in terms of its architectural beauty and the
decorations on the walls and pillars, particularly the decorations of
the cylindrical-shaped minaret which features symbols in the shape of
snakes facing each other, an unfamiliar and rare depiction in Yemen’s
decorative style and which could be found in the seljuk’ decorative
styles of the 13th century.
Khamer
Khamer is situated 22km to the north Raida along the Sa’da road and is
an important archaeological site. Khamer is considered to be the
original place of the Yemeni king (Tob’a) As’ad Al-Kamel, the most
famous of the Himyarite king. It was to him that many great cultural
traditions have been attributed. Houses in this area are high-rise
structures built with stone in a beautiful style. A weekly market is
held in this area every Sunday.
Hooth
It is located mid-way between Sana’a and Sa’da, more specially 124km
from Sana’a. From there the unpaved road branches out to Shahara, a
tourist attraction, across Al-Qabea’y. Nashwan Bin Sa’eed Al-Himyari,
the famous Yemeni scholar, inhabited it. Hooth is also one of the
Localities, which was developed as a religious intellectual school and
is considered to be the largest secondary city between Amran and Sa’da.
A weekly market is held here every Friday.
The historical town of Sheharah
Sheharah bridge
It is one of the main famous citadels of Yemen throughout the historical
stages. It still has got that some invincibility and is brimful with
houses and inhabitants. It is connected with Al Ahnoum range of
Mountains. This fort has got a historical and archaeological standing.
The first to adopt Sheharah as a fort is the famous Himyarite king Abu
Karab Asa’ad Al kamil. From this fort he was a candidate for rule at the
onset of the 5th century AD. During recent history, the Imama Al-Mansour
Al Kassim Bin Mohammed took the citadel of Sheharah as his citadel in
the war against.
The Ottomans (the Turk) during their first rule of Yemen from 1538 AD to
1635 AD due to the important strategic location of the citadel atop
Sheharah Mountain and the affluence of water, let alone its being
naturally fortified and invincible from all the directions. The Citadel
is divided into two sections, Sheharah Al Ameer and Sheharah Al feeth.
Each of them is atop a mountain disconnected by a natural crack
represented in a steep gap 200m deep.
The Ottomans could not conquer the fort of Shehara due to its ruggedness
and invincibility, which led them to besiege it for a long period
amounted to one year from 1601-1602 AD. During the siege the population
and defenders met a lot of obstacles in communication and reciprocity of
rations between the two sections. Hence came the idea for the completion
of the fortifications of Shehara through the construction of the hanging
bridge and its annexes, which connects the two mountains at a high
altitude for service of defenders and population during the siege and
the siege and the facility of movement and communication without
trouble.
It is an architectural artifact that deserves reflection and thinking in
comparison with the potential available during the 17th century. When
the Ottoman Turks returned again to the rule Yemen from 1872-1918, the
Imam Yahya Hameed Al Deen adopted Shehara fort as a struggle base for
the attack against the Turks till they evacuated Yemen.
As for Shehara fort Today it is considered one of the most important
tourist attractions in Yemen due to its linkage with historical town of
Shehara and its surrounding worth of sightseeing. Shehara is considered
a genius exemplary for mode of architecture heavily dependent on stone
structure. It is also one of the Quranic Studies School as of the
establishment of the Zaidite State in the 9th Century AD. It was also an
important fort against the Ottomans during the first and second period.
It has all the defensive requirements and 23 ponds for preservation of
water. Shehara is the only area, which did not fall. It rises above sea
level by 2600m. It is considered one of the main tourist destinations in
Yemen. The road to it begins in Hooth along the highway Sana’a /Sa’dah
across Al Qaba’ai. Hooth is 118km away from Sana’a. While Shehara is 45
km away from Hooth and the road linking them is still unpaved. The best
day to visit Shehara is Sunday where there is a weekly market in Souq Al
Ahad Area amid the distance between Houthand Al Qaba’ai.
Huqat Hamdan
Huqat Hamdan is situated in Hamdan area, 20km to the north of the
capital. It can be reached by away of Ma’mar village on the Sana’a
–Amran Road, and then you go west across Al-Haawri village and
immediately before Al-Jahiliya village, turn left to Hugat Hamdan.
The site of the village is historically important as it contains relics
of a temple and old inscriptions which can be seen on the houses, dating
back to the 3rd Century BC. Excavations by a German expedition, in 1931,
led to findings of ancient treasures and masterpieces, many of which are
now on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Sana’a.
Thula
Thula is 54 km to the northwest of Sana’a and is an important historic
city. It was one of the localities, which was considered one of the
major theological centers of the country. The city stands at the eastern
foot of the ancient fort Thula, known as fort of Mutahar Bin Sharaf
Uddin. The houses of the city are high-rise structures and built of
stones which harmonize with the mountain overlooking the city the
facades of the houses are embellished with decorations and moldings with
the windows being arch-shaped (Qamariyas), and decorated with pieces of
marble stained-glass. The streets are paved with stone.
In the city center lies the Graet Mosque, which has a distinctive small
stone minaret. There is also a bath (hamamat), and nearby are several
reservoirs next to a small stream which flows from beneath the fort.
Thula is surrounded by a solid stonewall and is a fine example of
fortification complete with two gates.
However, the main hold of the city is the fort which is accessible a
beautiful-built stone staircase. Within the fort there are water
reservoirs and grain stores and could thus sustain itself in times of
siege and is therefore considered to be the most unconquerable in Yemen.
The Ottomans could not control the for throughout the whole of their
rule rule of Yemen. Thula is one of the most visited cities by tourists
and there is a museum housed by one of the city’s old buildings.
Maswar Mountain Range
A mountain range in an east-west direction with many fertile wadis
cultivated with coffee trees. Villages were built on Mountaintops.
Maswar Mountain is considered one of the archaeological fortified
mountains, springs run down the slopes of the mountain. The summit is
quite wide with a few villages built in it. The summit has three
entrances and at the vary top of it stands Hosn Al Montaab . Maswar
Mountain (Tukhla)is considered one of the highest peaks in ran
Governorate 3000m above sea level.
The most Famous Mountains and forts in Amran Governorate
Amran and its famous mountains:
· Yazeed and Ashmoor Mountains and it is a chain of mountains situated
to the west of Amran area connected to Da’an Mountain and Yashboo as
well as Dhofar Hashid Mountains and their average latitude is 3000m
above sea level.
· Bani Soraim Mountains, they are situated north of Raidah area.
· Warwar and Dhofar Mountains situated north of Dhibain.
· Na’et Mountain and it is the mountain on which there is the famous
Mahfad and is situated to the east of Amran.
Hooth and its famous Mountains:
Rameedh Mountain overlooking Hooth Mountain and is located to its
southeast.
· Dhi Khairan Mountain, it is located to the north of Hooth and is
dividing Soufian, Udhur and Osaimat.
· Al Amashiyah Mountains, they are situated in Soufian region and the
most Famous of which is the cracked mountain which is worth the name
because it is constituted in fact of two pyramidal mountains north of
Al-Aasshiyah.
· Red Mountain. It overlooks Aljowf to the north.
Thula
Thula fortress on which at its eastern foot lies the historical town of
Thulla.
The most famous mountains in Hamdan:
Their average is 2800 above sea level and they are:
· Al Rayyan Mountain.
Al Munqab Mountain
Alkibar Mountain
Bareesh Mountain
Amidst these mountains lies Hamdan Region.
Al Ahnoum chain of Mountains:
-Which consist of Sheharah Al Feesh and Sheharah Al Ameer. Shehara is an
invincible fort rising 2600m above sea level. It is considered of the
historical forts and the first to fortify himself with it is the famous
Himyarite king As’ad Kamlil at the beginning of the fifth Century
AD.Western Siran Mountain, Easterb Sairan Mountain, Dhari Mountain , Al
Qawflah Mountains, Ghaithan, Dhulimah, Bani Sawt,Al Jameemah
Source: National Information Center, Sana'a
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