Travel Guide Caucaban

At about 3 000 m above sea level, this town is built on the mountain side. From Shibam, a 7 km road leads to the foot of the immense defensive wall of Caucaban. This village, stronghold of the Zaïdites since the th century, could welcome the inhabitants of Shibam in time of war and support long seats. Its large houses, built in stone, contained underground elevators and water supplies were provided by open air tanks collecting rainwater. Secret tunnels provided communication with the outside. The Ottomans have never been able to capture Caucaban, which is testimony to a vast cemetery on the outskirts of the city. Only Egyptian bombing, at the end of the civil war, led to the surrender of square, held in this case by monarchists, and many houses still bear marks. Caucaban is also known for his Yemeni poets, singers and composers, such as Al-Hariti or the group of three Caucabanis brothers. Finally, this place, nestled atop a cliff of 350 m, offers a splendid panorama of the surrounding fields and the old town of Thoulla. In clear time it is even possible to see the summit of Jebel Al Nabi Shoyeb, the highest point in Yemen (3 760 m). In addition, the site is suitable for the observation of endemic birds such as philby rock Partridge, Arabian partridge and other rare ones such as the Yemeni thrush, green peak and Arabic accenteur. The non-endemic species also abound around Jebel Caucaban, including the impressive gypaète or vulture of the lambs.