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 Manakh14ah:

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.

 

Al-Hajrah Village

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.

 

Haraz mountain

 

The most Renowned mountains in Sana’a Governorate

·       Khowlan : The most important mountains here are Al- Laws and Tiyyal mountains as well as Al-Khadhra and Edhaiah. It is a chain stretching from East to West and is famous for its almonds.

·       Kinnan Mountain:

·       It is one of the famous historical mountains and is located to the south western part of Khowlan 50km a way  from Sana’a. It can be seen from Sana’a and it is a humped mountain.

 

·       The Most Famous Mountains in Bani Hushaish And Nihum:

·       Yam Mountain, which is overlooking Al-Jowf from the western side.

·       Hareeb Al-Karamish Mountain.

·       Ayub Prophet Mountain, it is located to the east of Shibam Al-Gharass and is said that it was built on the tomb of the Prophet Ayub’s Tomb.

·       Shibam Al-Gharass Mountain known as Marmar historical famed Fortress.

Sara Mountain, Dhobab Mountain, overlooking Al-Sirr Valley from the northeast.

 

The Most Famous mountains in Arhab:

The average height is 2600m above sea level.

-       Dhaiban Mountain

-       Bait Maran Mountain

-       Riyam Mountain on which there are old Archaeological relics.

 

The Famous Mountains in Bani Matar:.

·       Prophet Shua’aib Mount, Known as “ Jabal Hadhur Al-Ras” 360m above sea level. It has got a mosque and dome it is said that it holds the tomb of Prophet

·       Shua’aib . This is the only mountain in Yemen on which ice  fall sometimes continuing for one month or a month and a half.

·       Aiban Mountain: at the southwestern fringe of Sana’a Basin and holds fortresses remains and 300m above sea level.

·       Al- manarh Mountain it is situated south of Prophet Shau’aib Mount.

·       Al-Hadab Mountain, it is situated south of Bani Mater.

 

Famous Mountains in Sanhan:

*Al Khotaf Mountain, situated at the south east of Sanhan and overlooks        Hiziaz.

*Raham Mountain

·       Al hadain Mountain, they are pyramidal mountains at the south of Sana’a.

·       Bilad Al Roos and Bani Bahlool and the Mountains of Bani Bahlool are considered heads for Khowlan Mountains and hence referred to as Heads Country or “Bilad Al Roos”.

·       Ghaiman Mountain, it holds the famed archaeological site and the Himyarite cemeteries.

 

Al Haimatin Mountains:

·       Al-Irr and Ahbook Mountain and they are a chain from Shu’aib Mountains.

·       Radman Mountain overlooking Wadi Saiaam, which is famous for growing Coffee.

·       Aaniz Mountain, which overlooks Siham Mountain from the south.

 

Famous Mountains and Fortress of Haraz

·       Baih Fortress, it is the fortress overlooking Manakha from the northern direction.

·       Shibam Fortress overlooking Manakha from the south and its latitude amounts to 3000m above sea level.

·       Masar Mountain, Shibam Mountain, Masar was a center for the Sulaihids and was inhabited by Ali Mohhamed Al Sulaihid and here began the call for the Fatimides at the 11th century AD. Masar is located to the west of Shibam Haraz Mountain.

·       Sa’afan Mountain, situated west of Masar Mountain and its average latitude is 3000m above sea level.