Sana’a Governorate
Location:
Sana’a lies in the mid of the western
mountainous chain which stretches from the far north of Yemen to
the south. It is surrounded by a number of Governorates: Amran
to the north and Dhamar to the south, Al Jowf and Marib to the
east and Hodiedah to the west and on the northwestern direction
are the tow Governorates of Hajja and Mahwit.
The Relief of Sana’a varies between Basins,
beds and wadis (valleys) involving fertile lands and green
amphitheatric mountainous terraces. Within its mountain chain is
the highest mountain summit of Arabia and Mesopotamia , the
Mount of Prophet She’aib which reaches 3760m above sea level
Sana’a is famous for growing all kinds of grain fruits and
vegetables and produces the best quality of grapes and Yemeni
coffee the”Matari”
Most of its population is engaged in
agriculture and cattle rising.
It comprises of many archaeological, historic
and tourist cities and sites among of which are:
Ghaiman:
It is in Bani Bahlool area, 20km to the
southeast of Sana’a on Ghaiman Mountain, which overlooks Wadi
Ghaiman valley. This area represents one of the important
Himyarite centers that played a significant role in Yemen’s
ancient history, reaching a peak during the 1st century AD.
Ghaiman has many archaeological sites such as As’ad dam in Wadi
Ghaiman, Wadi Shahick dam, the remains of old castles, forts and
palaces as well as the rocky graveyards, which were sculptured
in the hill opposite to Ghaiman. Ghaiman’s architectural
heritage didn’t survive except for parts of some walls, relics
from the old city, and some paved roads leading to the entrance
of the city . The most significant archaeological feature is
reservoirs at the summit of Jabal Ghaiman which were sculptured
out of the rocky mountain. In the rocky graveyards in Ghaiman
there are the remains of the famous Himyrite King. Abu Karib
Asa’ad. Because of this there have been a lot of random digs,
including those ordered by Prince Ahmed Hameed Uddin during the
reign of his father, Imam Yahya, when masterpieces such as heads
of statues, ornaments and stone ware were found some of these
are exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum.
Dhi Marmar Fort in Shibam Al-Gharas
Dhi Marmar Mountain is located in Shaibam
Sikhaim known nowadays as Shaibam Al-Gharas in the area of Bani
Hushaish 27km to the northeast of Sana’a, on the right of the
road leading to Marib. The fort includes remains dating back to
the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. In particular, the rocky
graveyards, which are rooms sculptured in the rock a few meters
higher than the foot of the mountain. The rooms have different
dimensions; some or which are1.5m high, 2m wide and 1.5 m deep
in the rock. In 1983, mummies meticulously embalmed were found
and some are exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum in
Sana’a University.
Dhi Marmar fort gets its name because the area
is famous for producing slates of marble. The area is also well
known for the production of coal and gypsum as well as being
famous for its grapes. In the fort is the tomb of Imam Ahmed Bin
AL-Hussian Al-Kasim dating back to the 17th century AD.
Haz:
Haz is 28km from Sana’a and is one of the
archaeological sites, which flourished in the heart of Yemen’s
highlands during the first three centuries AD. It was an ally of
Marib, very much like Shaibam Shakheem, Na’et, Hamdan and
Shaibam Aqyan, during this period, which was known as the Aqyal
period and overlapped with the transfer of power from the Sabean
dynasty in Marib to a new center at Dhofar al-Mulk. Haz is
accessible either by way of the Sana’a –Amran road to the left
at the detour of Bani Maymoun village, a beautiful Yemeni
village, or from the staring point of the plains overlooking
Shaibam Kawkban on the Sana’a –Shaibam road.
The city Of
Manakhah:
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.
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
(16th 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.