The Republic of Yemen is the least known but most fascinating scenery and culture sometimes land of Arabia. A large part of the country lies above 3,000 meters, visitors should schedule one is acclimatized.

Individual travel should be undertaken due to the increased risk only with reliable and experienced Yemeni travel agencies. A list is available at the German Embassy in Sanaa. Before traveling to the northern and northeastern parts of the country will be explicitly warned.

The Central Region

Sanaa, the capital, lies along the trade route between Aden and Mecca. The city was in the first Founded century AD and, according to legends played a role in biblical times. The old town has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Most of the up to seven storey buildings over 400 years old. The citadel, Qasr al-Silah, following the introduction of Islam in the 7th Century and is built very well preserved. The old city center is surrounded by the remains of city walls, which can in the south in the street outside the Zuberi-Bab al-Yemen (Yemen Gate on) and to the east along Mount Nugum. The wall extends from the citadel to the north to Bab Shaoob Taherir place. The 1000 year old village of Souk al-Milh, which begins at Bab al-Yemen is divided into 40 different craft and trade sectors. Particularly interesting is the spice market. The Souk al-Nahaas was once the copper market, and today you will find embroidered head-dresses, belts and jambias (curved daggers). The Great Mosque of Sana’a is the oldest and largest mosque in Sana’a and one of the oldest in the Arab world. It was constructed in the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammed and enlarged in AD 705. The floor plan is typical of early Islamic monuments: an open courtyard is surrounded by roofed galleries. The National Museum is located at Taherir Square in Dar al-Shukr (Palace of gratitude). There are interesting exhibits from pre-Islamic times, bronze statues, folk art and a beautiful Mashrabia (for water cooling). Overwhelmingly, the multi-story, ornate houses in the city center, which are richly decorated with intricate plasterwork and alabaster.

Rawdha, 8 km north of Sanaa, is a garden city. Worth seeing is the mosque built by Ahmed Ibn al-Qasim. In Rawdha Palace, now a hotel is housed.

Amran, north of Rawdha. The city is located on the edge of the fertile Al-Bawn basin. The city is surrounded by old Tonmauern from the time of the kingdom surrounded the Sabians.

Hajjah is a day’s journey north-west of Sanaa. The environment consists of high mountains and deep valleys, including the Wadi Sherez (1000 m above sea level. Level) and Kohlan (2400 m above sea level. D. M.). The Hajjah Citadel perched on the hill of the same and is known for the underground dungeons.

The mountain is situated south of Sana’a Hadda. On its slopes are dotted with villages and orchards. Growing apricots, peaches, walnuts and almonds. In the village of Hadda, there are old Turkish mills.

The Wadi Dhar, 10 km from Sana’a, and is an idyllic valley where grapes, pomegranates and citrus fruits.

Shibam, 36 km away from Sana’a, is a settlement of the pre-Islamic period, which was protected by the great fortress Koukaban.

The West & Southwest

The semi-arid Tihama (hot earth) to the west, where it hardly rains, is hot, muggy and little populated. The road that leads south of Sanaa, runs through a mountain pass in Dhofar, the ancient capital of Himyarites (115 BC – 525 AD) and Ibb, a once important stopping place along the road from Sana’a to Taiz . The remains of city walls and the aqueduct have been well preserved. The Sumara Pass at 2,700 m altitude, provides a magnificent panoramic view over the Yarim, and Dhamar the basin.

Taiz is located south of the country in 1400 m altitude. The old town has been supplanted by the fast-growing, modern city, almost completely, and only a few old houses and mosques remain. These are located on the south side within the well-preserved town walls (13th century). In the north only, the gates of Bab Musa and Al-Bab al-Kabir. The fortress of Al-Qahera lies within the city walls. In Taiz, the mosques are located, and Al-Al-Ashrafiya Mudhaffar, the most likely in Yemen. The museum in the Palace of Imam Ahmad’s insight about the life of King Imam Ahmad. Legend has it that after Imam’s death in his anti-revolutionary palace, nothing has been changed. Salah The Palace, another museum of the royal family, stands east of town. The Souk Taiz is a treasure trove of beautiful goods and souvenirs.

The Saber Mountain is located 18 km from Taiz and provides a beautiful view of Taiz and Taiz basins.

Mokha is an ancient port city on the Red Sea from the Himyaritic time. In the 17th and 18 Century, coffee was exported from here in the world. Mokhas glory and wealth came to an end as the coffee was grown in other regions. The port has recently been modernized and improved connections to Mokha, to revive the ancient and once-rich town again.

Hodeida can be reached through the mountains of Manakha. This modern city on the Red Sea has a major port, which was only completed in 1961. Worth seeing are the fish market and the traditional wooden fishing boats.

Beit al-Faqih, 60 km from Hodeida away, has an interesting market to be sold on the arts and crafts items. Manakha located in the Haraz mountains and was once a resting place of Ottoman merchants. The Ishmaelites traditional villages are located in the east.

The North

Between Sanaa and Sada in the north of the Wadi Waaar is a subtropical climate and endless mango, papaya and banana groves. In this region, rises the huge mountain-Shahara. The highest mountain is 3000 meters high. Shahara the bridge in the 17 Century was built, connecting two mountains can be crossed on foot.

Sada is still surrounded by walls and was formerly a mining (iron ore) and tanning center and a stopping place along the road from Sanaa to trade Himyaritic Mecca. Sada later the capital of the Zaydi-state and the center was Zaydi doctrine, a direction of the Shiite faith. The Al-Hadi Mosque is an important place of worship of Zaydismus. The interesting Najran Gate is located in the north of the city. The Great Mosque is the landmark Sadas. On the market are offered, including traditional stone necklaces and beautiful silver works. The Sada-fortress, with its thick walls, was formerly the residence of the king and imam is now the seat of the provincial government. Outside the city, the cemetery is Zaydi with interesting grave stones. The Sada-basin is very fertile.

The East

The Al-Mashreq mountains in the east of the country’s rise from 1100 m to up to 3000 meters. The landscape is gradually transformed into sand dunes and the population density decreases.

Mareb was once the capital of the kingdom of Saba. Worth a visit is the Awwan Temple, said to be the temple of Queen of Sheba. The carved stone blocks are the testament of the city. Mareb lies southwest of the mighty Mareb Dam, which was used to irrigate thousands of years ago. To 570 AD the dam was used, then the population moved to the north of the country. The impressive stone wall is 600 meters long and 18 m thick.

Aden

The history as a port city of Aden goes way back. The port was named in the biblical book of Ezekiel (ca. 6th century BC). The National Museum of Antiquities in the vicinity of the port-Tawahi houses an interesting collection of pre-Islamic art. Crater, the oldest part lies in the crater of an extinct volcano. Here are the oldest buildings in town. Still visible are the Adentanks, rock camp with an incredibly high water capacity. When it rains, the top tank first fills and then feeds the bottom. Crater is also an ethnographic museum and a military museum. The Mosque of al-Sayyid Abdullah Aidrus (14th century) commemorates the patron saint of Aden. In Maallah visitors can see traditional Arab boats. South of Aden is Little Aden, also in a volcanic crater.