Die binnekant van die klein landjie klink vaal weens die “woestyngebied” maar dit is nie vaal nie – en let maar op wat het die voorgeslagte hier aangevang en mens kan net in ekstase uitroep oor al die kennis wat die mense eeue gelede gehad het – geen wonder sommige lande wil alles net bom en vernietig nie – of waaroor gaan al die oorloë vandag – nie net oor olie of wyn of minerale nie. Hier is net ‘n paar foto’s – daar is pragtige lande in die midde ooste – en juwele hoe die mense oertye gebly het en veilig ook – hulle was ook aangeval en moes plan maak.
Unesco said it is assessing the impact of the conflict on the Old City and other sites in Yemen, but it was too early to quantify the extent of the damage.
The organisation listed the al-Qasimi area in Sanaa, the Old City of Saadah and Marib Dam, the archaeological city of Baraqish, Al Qahirah citadel in Taiz and Hadramout’s ancient tombs as being severely damaged. More about Yemen…
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Yemen Warns Saudi and UAE to Stop Aggression
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Hadramout
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Dating back to the Himyarite Kingdom around 100 BC, close to the modern capital, Sana’a, is the ancient town of Thula. With exceptionally well preserved traditional houses and mosques, Sabaean period ruins and it’s massive stone fortifications, Thula is a town of exceptional archaeological importance, allowing visitors to almost step back in time.
Covering an area of some 650,000 square kilometres (250,000 square miles) the Rub Al Khali is the largest continuous desert in the world, encompassing southern Saudi Arabia, as well as northern Oman and Yemen. Known as the Empty Quarter, this enormous desert is 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) long and over 500 kilometres (310 miles) wide. With huge sand dunes reaching up to 250 metres (800 ft) high it truly is a land of spectacular scenery.
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Al-Qahera Castle, Taiz, Yemen, Photo Uploaded on March 11, 2012 by Al-Awsh.
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Sanaa is said to have been founded two and half millennia ago and its old heart once bustled with traders and drew tourists in calmer times.
The ancient city remained an area of relative calm during the 2011 uprising in Yemen which led to the downfall of late President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but the war between the alliance of Sunni Muslim Arab states and the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement that now controls the capital has brought havoc.
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North of the capital, Sana’a, atop the steep mountain of Jabal Shaharah at an elevation of 2,600 metres (8,530 ft) above sea level is the village of Shahara. Overlooking mountains to the north and a great desert to the south, the village consists of several old stone buildings within incredible surroundings. The areas most famous architectural landmark is a 17th century footbridge known as the Bridge Of Sighs, built to connect two neighbouring villages across a deep gorge.
The Shahara – A village located at the top the peaks of the magnificent Jabal Shahara. Shahara was once a stronghold for the Imams. This stimulated city could sustain itself for months on end in cases of isolation. Travelers come to Shahara is to watch the well-known Bridge of Sighs. This bridge was constructed in 17th century to connect towns at the tops of mountains in the state of Yemen.
Shahara Bridge built to fight against Turkish invaders. Many say that the local people can eliminate the bridge in few minutes in case of any imminent danger. It’s a scary bridge and a popular tourist attraction. The local residents still cross it often as a part of their daily routine. The manufacturing genius of this bridge spans a sheer 300 foot deep canyon. It can be reached by climbing the many stepped slopes or, selecting the path of least resistance, by accompanying a local guide with you.
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http://inf0junction.blogspot.com/2012/12/bridge-to-shikhar-shahara-bridge-yemen.html
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Built as recently as the 1930’s on the outskirts of the capital, Sana’a, is the Dar Al-Hajar Palace, a grand castle like structure built on the side of a tall rock spire with a large tower at it’s peak. This former palace is today a museum, with visitors allowed to tour this incredible unique structure for free, though the best view is undoubtedly from the ground looking upwards.
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