Shibam Hadhramout

[الدكتور أحمد باذيب]

	[31 Shebam is one of the most famous historical cities in Yemen. European travelers described it as ”Manhattan of the desert” due to its beautiful high building. Located in the middle of Hadhramout province , some 1200 km from the capital Sana’a. The city was built on the ruins of an ancient city of Hadhramout and had been the most important market in the south-eastern part of Yemen , moreover it used to be a significant administrative center for many centuries up to the 16 century AD. Shibam offers a very spectaculare scenic with its lofty houses some are 8 floors high forming close blocks separated by lanes and squares. There are about 500 houses built of straw reinforced mud bricks, they are almost equal in height. Some women of the city visit their neighbors across sky walks from one rooftop to another in in order to save time and efforts.Some houses date back to hundreds of years. The city has one gate, which was last maintained in 1909. UNESCO placed Shibam on its "Human Heritage" list for its unique architectural style a. An international campaign for its protection and preservation was launched in 1984. Shibam actually is one of the most beautiful cities and tourist attractions in Yemen. The city contains several historical sitess such as the great Mosque, built in the era of the Abbasid caliph Haroun Al_Rasheed early 10th century and the city wall dating back to the beginning of 17th century AD..