Things to see and do Yemen

Site of the French Cultural Centre Henri de Monfreid, presenting its activities in Sana'a and Aden: Cultural events, médiathèque, courses, French restaurant.

Site of the French Embassy in the Republic of Yemen, for news on the country and a link with the Consulate of France.

This is the Great Mosque on Friday. Dating back to the th century, it is the oldest of Ta. It is surmounted by three large domes and six smaller ones. The original minaret destroyed was replaced by another red brick.

It is a house whose decoration of the painted casing ceilings is particularly careful. Don't hesitate to ask to see their splendour, which will probably delight the master of the places.

Dating back to the th century, initially, four minarets were originally drawn from each angle. The only one remaining with a facettes dome of abbasid style. The paintings of the ceiling of the prayer room, the decorations of the mihrab, which indicate the direction of Mecca and the chair of preaching are rassoulide. An asymmetric spell basin, left of the entrance, reflects its water on the white wall and gives a remarkable impression of peace. The mosque has 13 doors and 40 windows, 3 spell basins and 291 columns. These two mosques have been renewed many times.

The local legend is that Abu Moussa Al Ashaïr, who was sent by the prophet Mohammed to Yemen to spread the Muslim faith, built this madrasas. It was in the 630 th century (in) under Sa king Hussein Ibn Salama that it was erected. Located in the heart of the ancient city, its inner courtyard is of all beauty.

Originally this fort, built in 1873 of clay bricks, was a military barracks before being completely overhauled in an Anglo-Indian colonial genus. It is 34 metres high and consists of 90 pieces. Today, he divides between a museum and a library. Access to the upper terrace is permitted. On the ground floor, a first room displays the archaeological parts of the Rayboun excavations. In the second part, lintels and carved wood are discovered, a mihrab of the Doan parka and funeral stelas. On the floor, a photo exhibition of 1930 shows the cities of Hadramawt and the first car introduced in that region by the Al Kaf family. A room is reserved for the Sultanat Sultanate. It shows bank notes and a stamped passport from the British protectorate. Later are jewellery, clothing, traditional crafts and medicinal plants. It also exposed the ornaments and emblems of the ancient Sultanates of Kathiria and Quayti. In front of the museum, there is a white dome under which Ba-Maqrama is buried, and a green dome that houses the tomb of Al-Ibsha.

The mosque of Youfrous was built in the 30 th century by the last king king, in memory of the descendant of Ali Abu Taleb, Sheikh Ahmed ibn Alwouan Al Sufi (died in 665). Sheikh Ahmed was the son of a harsh and cruel vizier with the people. He refused to succeed him because he did not want to dominate the population, and he became a hermit in Youfrous, where he helped and cared for everyone. His tomb is in the prayer room. A pilgrimage takes place every year. The large pool of? serves children during the summer. It is fed by a remote source by means of an underground channel and then by an aqueduct under a covered gallery. Further afield, in the direction of the south (80 km of Ta), you can visit Ibb, whose fame comes from a very old baobab that grows right before the village.

In 630 kilometres of Ta, towards Sana ', Al Janad was the first mosque built in Yemen in, of the living of the Prophet Mohammed by one of his disciples, Mu'dha ibn Jabal. The Great Mosque of Sana'a would only be the second, according to the historian Hamdani. The pilgrimage to Al Janad was considered by the Muslim world as important as that of Mecca, at the very point of replacing him in the life of a believer. It included two minarets originally. The one that currently exists is ayyubide, with a summit added by the Ottomans. The mosque has been restored many times. The latest renovation, rather unfortunate, added marble to the feet of the columns.

The track leading to the apex of the Jebel Saber (3 006 m) is road. The mountain is covered by cultures, in particular qat, and built from countless villages. Magnificent panoramic views of Ta and the rich modern villas of taizzi industrialists. A pleasant stop at the village's small café, at Samira, 200 m from the top. Samira will soon open a hostel. You must cross the village on foot to arrive at a nice point of view on Ta. A second hostel is also expected to be a day, which will make it easy to facilitate hiking in the region. The village's little girls sell «makramas», long cotton veils, very colourful, and offer women to adorn their hands with henna designs. At Mount Saber, a small mosque is built in memory of the Sufi Abd Al-Rahman. Behind the mosque is the cave which was, according to tradition, the place of sleep of the «Ahl Al Kahf». It would be the «seven dormants» referred to in the Qur'a by the Koran - seven young men and their dog who, fleeing the persecution of a tyrant, took refuge in a cave. God slept there for 309 years, and then rehearsed them: " To make sure that God's promise is true and that there is no doubt about the time. (Koran, XVIII, 21.)

Located at the rear of a military building, it contains the personal affairs of Imam Ahmed. The museum was opened to show Yéménites the difference in living standards between the imam and the small people, to convince them of the benefits of the Republic. The first room shows the photos of the perpetrators of the last attack on the imam, as well as other revolutionaries. The imam received eight revolver bullets in his back. One of them, housed in his spinal column, could not be extracted and made it terribly suffer. His doctors regularly injected morphine from morphine to calm the pain. Imam Ahmed died eight months later. Other rooms, on three floors, have their furniture (including seesaws beds that reduced the pain of their wounds) and gifts from different heads of state. The audiovisual material it used is also presented. Ahmed banned the use of the people because republican propaganda was on the radio and, on the other, because images from the outside world could reveal the late Yemen's delay in the 1960 s. A piece exhibits the many French scents and the waters of the Imam of Cologne. On the upper floors you can see his apparat, the toys and clothes of his heir, Al-Badr, as well as kitchen equipment. All these objects give the foreign visitor a modest impression of the imam's wealth: The life of the powerful autocrat of Imam Ahmed was not so luxurious, although it was a thousand times more comfortable than that of the people of the country.

Small and charming, it is established between the two remaining doors of the Ta Enclosure: Bab Al Kebir and Bab Moussa. It stretches over three streets, including the one that descends from mosques and where many antique shops are held. Djambeyas and silver jewellery are cheaper than in Sana'a, and can still compete. Some of the dealers can pay by traveller's cheques. In front of Bab Al-Kebir, the goat cheeses are sold, which are the specialty of Rituxan, necklaces and jasmine bouquets. The first street on the left is reserved for fabrics, clothing and exchange offices. It overlooks Bab Moussa. In the second you can find roasters, spice dealers and agricultural instruments. The smiling atmosphere is a good child.

It was discovered during excavations in 1991 and 1992 by the Italian mission led by Professor Alessandro de Maigret. The temple is almost square, displaying 12 m out of 11. It consists of twelve monoliths pillars and five naves. The oldest part of the th and th centuries BC.

14 meters high, measuring 766 m and contains 56 bastions. It was closed from two doors, one to the east and the other to the southern part of the wall. The inner surface is 7,25 hectares. The bottom part of this fortification is South Arabian times. It is constructed of long blocks of limestone, rendered, externally polished and piquetés in the centre. They are perfectly equipped without any mortar: they show solidarity with a system of dress and stiles which demonstrates the exceptional skill of the stone tailors and the masterpieces of the time.

Inscriptions (close to 300) are engraved on the outer face of the wall. The top of the wall, rebuilt in the Islamic period, is much less beautiful. The small mosque, tower and well, inside the site, are after the th century. The houses of this time are built with land and re-use.

It was used to calm the flow of waves during the rain seasons, and the water thus contained could irrigate the oases of the north and south, on a surface of nearly 10 000 hectares, by means of dispatchers, weirs and small dikes. We do not know the exact dating of the dam, but the downstream water capture and diversion systems show that, from the second millennium before our age, the South-Arab population approaches hydrology techniques. The south and north piers and their locks and overflows show to the visitor the perfection of the South Arabs in the art of capturing waters. The maintenance work of the dam required a large number of labour to remove sediment deposited in the bottom of the basin or to perform work on the building itself. It was in 542 that the last repair of the dam was carried out on the orders of the Ethiopian King Abraha, and then it was the final rupture, perhaps under catastrophic flood, or an earthquake, or more simply because of the lack of manpower.

The new dam, 2 km from the former, was completed in 1986. His funding was provided by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan of Abu Dhabi, whose ancestors lived near Marib. The book irrigates the fields and the citrus cultures around Marib, which settle the population. A long 760 m high, it can contain, the good years, 400 million m 3 of water. A memorial, to the right of the book, tells its story in sabéen and Arabic under the engraved faces of President Ali Abdallah Saleh and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. Siroua, the first capital of the Sheba'a Kingdom, cannot be visited for security reasons.

Known today as Mahram Bilkis was first excavated by the American Foundation for the Study of Man, led by Wendell Phillips, in 1951 and 1952. This temple was dedicated to the astrales deities. A pronaos with eight columns gave on a building whose inner part was surrounded by 32 monoliths columns, forming gallery. It was decorated with 64 false windows and numerous votive plates. The building opened on an oval courtyard protected by an enclosure about 300 metres.

Inscriptions were engraved on the walls. There are inscriptions in boustrophédon (primitive writing) not far from the remaining pillars. More than statues, including the famous representation of Mon'dîkarib, have been discovered. The temple, for the moment dated the th century BC, gave rise to pilgrimages, with renewed oaths of subservient to Saba.

Also known as Arsh Bilkis (the throne of Bilkis), it is 4 km southeast of Marib. He was dedicated to the male god of the moon, Almaqah. It was studied and searched by the German Archaeological Mission from 1988 to 1997. The first temple was built in the th century BC, and then enlarged four times over the following centuries. Ba'rân was an active place of worship for at least thirteen centuries. The temple, where only religious lords came, had a dallée courtyard, surrounded by monoliths columns, at the centre of which a well was found. The entrance of the temple was done by a large staircase. The six monoliths columns, which are still visible, were placed in front of the door on a podium. At the beginning of our era, the temple was partially destroyed. The religious complex was surrounded by a wall of raw bricks that sheltered the alluvial.

Located on the edge of the desert, was the focal point of the caravans that came from the Hadramawt and the port of Qana. It is the political capital of the Saba Kingdom and its religious centre. The contemporary city covers a 25-metre height, consisting of the ruins of successive cities.

The fortifications and Palais Palace of the «moukarrib» dynasties, that is, «backbone sovereigns», were first mentioned in the 4 500 th century B.C. The last speaker had a circumference of m and was pierced by five doors. Inside the city was the dynastic palace and several temples. According to Burkhard Vogt, who heads the German Archaeological Mission, the city could have contained, at its peak, between 30 000 and 50 000 people. The current dwellings are in very bad condition, having suffered intense Egyptian bombing during the civil war (1962-1970). The city, which still had 800 inhabitants in 1950, is now practically abandoned.

Built in the th century, it is covered by six domes and houses Koranic schools next to the prayer room.

It is dominated by a Turkish citadel that is still occupied by the army and, consequently, does not visit. Sira Island has become a place of residence for Yemen's presidency and influential personages. In 1994, President Ali Abdallah Saleh declared Yemen as the Capital Capital of Yemen. It was on the island of Sira that landed the English in 1839. The old port welcomes a fish market.

The port was called Steamer Point because the steamers, the steam liners on the road for India, went there. It was also the favorite neighborhood of the English. On the hill overlooking the harbour, there are a few colonial houses in Victorian style whose galleries give rise to the sea. We have to take a look at the small replica of Big Ben, whose clock finally stopped during the events of 1986: for 11 days, two opposing factions of the Socialist Party, belonging to two different tribes, were savagely killed here. The Soviets were not spared and much of the Soviet colony left South Yemen after this deadly outbreak of Violence.

Built by the Himyarites to collect rainwater, fuel Aden and protect the city of floods, these 20 tanks can contain up to 1 million gallons (4,54 English gallon = litres). They were dug in the rock and seen connected to each other by channels. A last pipe went in the center of the city to reject the plein to the sea. Used until the th century, they were later abandoned. Rediscovered by an English lieutenant, Lambert, the tanks were rehabilitated and re-fonctionnèrent during the British colonization. They were then abandoned, and the last pipe leading to the sea was destroyed to open lanes. In February 1993, torrential rains took over tanks, taking houses and causing significant damage in the city. Tanks are located in a planted park. A trail, then a staircase runs along the site and leads to the top of the mountain (which is a volcano). The railings of the staircase shall stop at the height of the third tank. Then, the stairs, with very worn stairs, spacer the vacuum: committing to it may be dangerous. In the small park, a kiosk sells water, tea and fresh drinks. The entrance is not paid but it is customary to give a tip to the custodian.

Al-Aydarus, patron saint of Aden, lived in the 1582 th century (died in). The mosque that honours it was rebuilt in the th century. His tomb is in a room in front of the prayer room. In the court, the first President of the Democratic Republic of the South was buried: Qahtan Shabi.

It is devoted to the fight against the English occupation and the socialist period. This museum, made at the time of the People's Republic, does not always present events from an absolutely historical angle.

The history of its creation begins with a wealthy Indian, Kaily Muncherjee, who, collector of antiques, is a grouping of beautiful objects in the country. He also buys many copies of objects but does not have sufficient knowledge to dissociate them from his real pieces. It is its collection that will provide the reserves of what will become the Aden Museum, built under Britain's protectorate.

In the first part, four rooms exhibit remarkable archaeological exhibits from the South-Arabiques kingdoms of Qataban, Saba, Hadramawt and Awsan. The Maquette model and some of the museum's parts travel with the exhibition "Yemen, the country of the Queen of Saba". A guide provides explanations in English. The second part, located in the adjoining building on the first floor, presents photos of Steamer Point, the model of a sambuk (fishing boat) and the conduct of a marriage. Finally, in the next room, you discover a mafradge, beautiful jewelry, musical instruments and antique clothing.

The style of the building is Indian influence. It was built by Omar ibn Awad Qaiti. On the ground floor of the archaeological objects and on the first floor the Indian furniture and invoice items belonged to the sultans, the most impressive being a rich throne in silver. The museum suffered damage during the war of 1994.

This private agency is of excellent quality and its director, Rachid Ali Rachid, is one of the young figures of the future of the island.

It is the official agency to contact to organise a visit, which also provides for a paid service for the rental of all-terrain cars with driver (10 000 rials the day).

On the road to the airport, a peaks watch tower was built in 1884 to serve as the customs station of the Qaiti Sultanate. Its position, at the top of a rock overlooking the road, makes it all the attraction.

Created in 1972, it contains 14 000 books and manuscripts, many of which are very old. They are all listed in a file and classified by subjects in the cabinets: Koran, history, medicine, religion, etc. In showcases, the manuscripts of the H. The library is open in the morning. Note that the shoes must be removed to enter.

It was restored in 1915 and its minaret, 60 metres high, is the highest in southern Yemen. Like the rest of the buildings in the city, the mosque is made of wood for its structure and would take for its construction material.

A former palace built in an overflow (or mud) and covered with a thick layer of lime that mixes Indonesian style and that of Hadramawt. In one of the rooms, in the form of panels, the various manufacturing processes for this typical architecture of Yemen are explained. The museum essentially presents a beautiful collection of objects, most of which are imported: a French rifle stamped Marseille 1874, old phones and Gramophone, old currencies and a philatelic collection. Also noted are ceramics of the region, jewellery and clothing. The man who hosts speaks French and is pleased to guide and answer questions: he loves his country and performs his function with passion. The other rooms highlight the parts of the palace that are more or less intact. See in particular that with the ceiling mirrors, really splendid. Finally, you will have a very interesting view of the city.

Two elements of the housing doors of the region are remarkable. On the one hand, the hole in the right amount of the wall, closed by a small wooden valve, in which one moves the hand to power the heavy bois. On the other hand, the mechanism of the lock, entirely in wood, as well as the key that activates it, in the form of large toothbrush that is brought into the mechanism, and acts like that of a Barbarie organ.

In the vicinity of Shibam and other villages, you will see busy workers in the manufacture of the peaks. Mixed with abundant water after April rains, the earth is spread over the ground, with, and left dry in the sun. Once dry, the bricks are cut and stacked close to the houses that sometimes hold a stock to replace those that the bad weather would have damaged. Two lime are used to protect walls: The warm lime outside and in the bathrooms to waterproofing the walls, the cold lime for the decoration of the walls.

It is possible to visit one or two houses that have been restored through foreign funds and transformed into a museum in situ. It is very interesting to see their interior intended for the whole family, between 15 and 25 people, distributed on all floors, on the ground floor being intended for reservations and kitchen, floors to rooms and common rooms of reception, the open terrace open to become the family dormitory. The houses are always built by peaks. This natural material is cheap and the thick walls that are made of it maintain freshness inside and prevent the heat from entering.

These are the most pleasant beaches in Aden.

Shibam, like many cities in the valley, is imbued with the Sufi mystic of men recognized by their own. It was Sheikh Barouf Bajammal who marked this place. The architectural style is very inspired by Oman.