Sana'a - the capital of Yemen
In the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, there is a state that borders Saudi Arabia and Oman. It is washed by the waters of the Arabian and Red Seas, as well as the Indian Ocean. The capital of Yemen is the largest city in the country called Sana'a.
Brief history of the city
Translated from the South Arabic dialect, the name of the city means «solid construction». The city is located on an alpine plateau with a height of 2200 meters.
The first documentary evidence of the existence of a settlement on the territory of the modern capital dates back to the first century AD. In the fifth century, the city had the status of the capital of the Himyarite state..
Sana'a was often the object of desire of various conquerors and neighboring countries. So, in the sixth century, the troops of Abyssinia and Persia fought for it. During the 50 years that Sanaa was under the rule of Abyssinia, the main cathedral was erected in the city. 628 marked the beginning of a new era in the life of the city. Its inhabitants converted to Islam. There is a legend that the Prophet Muhammad himself approved the construction of a mosque here..
For many centuries, the city had the status of the capital of many states. Famous ruling dynasties lived here at different times. The first European appeared in the city in the eighteenth century.
During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, the city was a very developed settlement. There were more than 50 mosques, several baths, a fortress, vineyards and markets. In the twentieth century, a large number of houses were built. Sana's appearance has changed a lot. In 1990, the city became the official capital of the united Yemen..
The city's attractions
Sana'a still boasts a large number of mosques: the Salah ad-Din mosque; al-Bakiriyya mosque; Talha Mosque; al-Mahdi mosque. Also in the capital of Yemen is one of the oldest markets among the Arab countries. It's called Suk al-Kat.
Tourists love to visit the Old Town. This is the area of the city where the oldest houses and winding streets are located. Also in Sana'a there is a landmark that used to serve as the residence of Imam Yahya ibn Muhammad. At one time he had a great influence on the development of the city. The city is a very interesting destination for tourism..
