The capital of Yemen is sited about 7,500 feet above
sea level in the central plateau of the country. It is still an ancient walled
city, famed for its spectacular ancient mud-brick 'skyscrapers'. Local legend
maintains that Sanaa is the birthplace of the Arab nation and, like Damascus,
claims its founder to be Noah's eldest son, Shem - the city was once called
Medinet Sam, the City of Shem.
A later belief is that Yemen was the historic kingdom of Sheba, from which
the mystic Queen (long thought to be Abyssinian) travelled to the court of
King Solomon (Suleiman). Whatever the real truth of these tales they make for
splendid legends and add more character to Yemen's colourful past.
Buildings of interest to the visitor include the old Arab quarter (the Medina),
the citadel (Al Qasr) the ruined fort of Al-Birash and the Mutawakil, once
the palace of the Imams and now a museum.
Handicrafts are most attractive; finely worked silver and jewellery, weaving
and leather artefacts. More modern industries have been developed but the nation
has not yet achieved economic stability.
Infants are not provided with a seat. If your baby is more than 6 months old, you may book a seat for him/her listing him/her as a “child”. More information is available at carriage of infants.
