Amran

It comprises of many archaeological, historic and tourist cities and sites among of which are:

Amran City

One of the important cities situated on the historical trading route known as As’ad road.

The city overlooks the vast farming area of Amran known as Qa’a-al-Boun, and is 50km to the north of Sana’a near to the side of the asphalt road leading to Sa’da, at the crossroads leading to Hajja in the north-west. Amran’s old city was encircled by a clay rampart, most of which still exist together with the old eastern gates. The features of the old market are still apparent. There are many stone inscriptions at the entrance of the city and on the facades of houses, suggesting that Amran was one of the important sites in Yemen’s ancient history.

Amran is known for not only its distinctive architectural style, which heavily uses adobe blocks, but also for the variety of crops, which are grown there. There are many archaeological sites in the surroundings area. The city is considered to be one of the centers of traditional crafts, particularly leather works, and Friday, in Amran, is the weekly market day where theses crafts can be viewed.

Raida

Raida is situated 22km to the north of Amran on the Amran –Sa’da road and is the ancient town, mentioned by Al-Hamdani (renowned Yemeni historian), where the Tulfum Castle existed. It was said that Raida was the area, which was mentioned in verses of the Holy Qur’an as the “Hanging Castles”. There are no surviving historical hallmarks in the city and one can only see scattered stones that give reference to a bygone era.

A weekly market is held in Raida every Tuesday, with another held 2km away to the east at Bait Harash. The archaeological site of Na’et is near to

Na’et Area

Na’et is situated 25km to the east of Raida across an unpaved path. It is an important archaeological site standing on top of Jabal Thaneen known historically as Na’et. It is one of the components of Sam’ai historical triangle site, together with Shibam Aqyan and Shibam Al-Gharass . The triangle that flourished during the decline of the Sheba dynasty in Marib before the capital of ancient Yemen was moved from Marib to Dhafoar Al-Molk “Yareem “. Many historical castles and water reservoirs were said to have existed in Na’et but nothing seems to have survived. Many antiquities from the area were moved to Sana’a. Polygonal pillars, some of which are 5-6m high, from the Dome of Imam Yahya (south of Dar Al-Saadah), which are in use in the National Archaeological Museum, with others being installed by the gates of Dar Al-Hoom , presently called Al-Wahda school.

Dhofar Dhi-bain
Dhofar Dhi-bain is, located approximately 30km to the north east of Raida across an unpaved path. It got its name because of the Dhofar archaeological fort, which stands to the north –east of Dhibain. The fort boasts many ancient remains and Islamic monuments, such as forts, castles and reservoirs, in addition to one of the most important monuments. The mosque and Minaret of Imam Abdullah Bin Hamza, which was built as a school at the onset of the 13th century AD and houses his tomb. Dhofar Dhibain’s mosque is considered one of the most significant historical mosque in Yemen in terms of its architectural beauty and the decorations on the walls and pillars, particularly the decorations of the cylindrical-shaped minaret which features symbols in the shape of snakes facing each other, an unfamiliar and rare depiction in Yemen’s decorative style and which could be found in the seljuk’ decorative styles of the 13th century.

Khamer
Khamer is situated 22km to the north Raida along the Sa’da road and is an important archaeological site. Khamer is considered to be the original place of the Yemeni king (Tob’a) As’ad Al-Kamel, the most famous of the Himyarite king. It was to him that many great cultural traditions have been attributed. Houses in this area are high-rise structures built with stone in a beautiful style. A weekly market is held in this area every Sunday.

Hooth
It is located mid-way between Sana’a and Sa’da, more specially 124km from Sana’a. From there the unpaved road branches out to Shahara, a tourist attraction, across Al-Qabea’y. Nashwan Bin Sa’eed Al-Himyari, the famous Yemeni scholar, inhabited it. Hooth is also one of the Localities, which was developed as a religious intellectual school and is considered to be the largest secondary city between Amran and Sa’da. A weekly market is held here every Friday.

The historical town of Sheharah

It is one of the main famous citadels of Yemen throughout the historical stages. It still has got that some invincibility and is brimful with houses and inhabitants. It is connected with Al Ahnoum range of Mountains. This fort has got a historical and archaeological standing. The first to adopt Sheharah as a fort is the famous Himyarite king Abu Karab Asa’ad Al kamil. From this fort he was a candidate for rule at the onset of the 5th century AD. During recent history, the Imama Al-Mansour Al Kassim Bin Mohammed took the citadel of Sheharah as his citadel in the war against.

The Ottomans (the Turk) during their first rule of Yemen from 1538 AD to 1635 AD due to the important strategic location of the citadel atop Sheharah Mountain and the affluence of water, let alone its being naturally fortified and invincible from all the directions. The Citadel is divided into two sections, Sheharah Al Ameer and Sheharah Al feeth. Each of them is atop a mountain disconnected by a natural crack represented in a steep gap 200m deep.

The Ottomans could not conquer the fort of Shehara due to its ruggedness and invincibility, which led them to besiege it for a long period amounted to one year from 1601-1602 AD. During the siege the population and defenders met a lot of obstacles in communication and reciprocity of rations between the two sections. Hence came the idea for the completion of the fortifications of Shehara through the construction of the hanging bridge and its annexes, which connects the two mountains at a high altitude for service of defenders and population during the siege and the siege and the facility of movement and communication without trouble.

It is an architectural artifact that deserves reflection and thinking in comparison with the potential available during the 17th century. When the Ottoman Turks returned again to the rule Yemen from 1872-1918, the Imam Yahya Hameed Al Deen adopted Shehara fort as a struggle base for the attack against the Turks till they evacuated Yemen.

As for Shehara fort Today it is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Yemen due to its linkage with historical town of Shehara and its surrounding worth of sightseeing. Shehara is considered a genius exemplary for mode of architecture heavily dependent on stone structure. It is also one of the Quranic Studies School as of the establishment of the Zaidite State in the 9th Century AD. It was also an important fort against the Ottomans during the first and second period. It has all the defensive requirements and 23 ponds for preservation of water. Shehara is the only area, which did not fall. It rises above sea level by 2600m. It is considered one of the main tourist destinations in Yemen. The road to it begins in Hooth along the highway Sana’a /Sa’dah across Al Qaba’ai. Hooth is 118km away from Sana’a. While Shehara is 45 km away from Hooth and the road linking them is still unpaved. The best day to visit Shehara is Sunday where there is a weekly market in Souq Al Ahad Area amid the distance between Houthand Al Qaba’ai.

Huqat Hamdan
Huqat Hamdan is situated in Hamdan area, 20km to the north of the capital. It can be reached by away of Ma’mar village on the Sana’a –Amran Road, and then you go west across Al-Haawri village and immediately before Al-Jahiliya village, turn left to Hugat Hamdan.

The site of the village is historically important as it contains relics of a temple and old inscriptions which can be seen on the houses, dating back to the 3rd Century BC. Excavations by a German expedition, in 1931, led to findings of ancient treasures and masterpieces, many of which are now on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Sana’a.

Thula
Thula is 54 km to the northwest of Sana’a and is an important historic city. It was one of the localities, which was considered one of the major theological centers of the country. The city stands at the eastern foot of the ancient fort Thula, known as fort of Mutahar Bin Sharaf Uddin. The houses of the city are high-rise structures and built of stones which harmonize with the mountain overlooking the city the facades of the houses are embellished with decorations and moldings with the windows being arch-shaped (Qamariyas), and decorated with pieces of marble stained-glass. The streets are paved with stone.

In the city center lies the Great Mosque, which has a distinctive small stone minaret. There is also a bath (hamamat), and nearby are several reservoirs next to a small stream which flows from beneath the fort. Thula is surrounded by a solid stonewall and is a fine example of fortification complete with two gates.

However, the main hold of the city is the fort which is accessible a beautiful-built stone staircase. Within the fort there are water reservoirs and grain stores and could thus sustain itself in times of siege and is therefore considered to be the most unconquerable in Yemen.

The Ottomans could not control the for throughout the whole of their rule rule of Yemen. Thula is one of the most visited cities by tourists and there is a museum housed by one of the city’s old buildings.

Maswar Mountain Range
A mountain range in an east-west direction with many fertile wadis cultivated with coffee trees. Villages were built on Mountaintops. Maswar Mountain is considered one of the archaeological fortified mountains, springs run down the slopes of the mountain. The summit is quite wide with a few villages built in it. The summit has three entrances and at the vary top of it stands Hosn Al Montaab . Maswar Mountain (Tukhla)is considered one of the highest peaks in ran Governorate 3000m above sea level.

The most Famous Mountains and forts in Amran are:

Yazeed and Ashmoor Mountains and it is a chain of mountains situated to the west of Amran area connected to Da’an Mountain and Yashboo as well as Dhofar Hashid Mountains and their average latitude is 3000m above sea level.

Bani Soraim Mountains, they are situated north of Raidah area.

Warwar and Dhofar Mountains situated north of Dhibain.

Na’et Mountain and it is the mountain on which there is the famous Mahfad and is situated to the east of Amran.

Rameedh Mountain overlooking Hooth Mountain and is located to its southeast.

Dhi Khairan Mountain, it is located to the north of Hooth and is dividing Soufian, Udhur and Osaimat.

Al Amashiyah Mountains, they are situated in Soufian region and the most Famous of which is the cracked mountain which is worth the name because it is constituted in fact of two pyramidal mountains north of Al-Aasshiyah.

Red Mountain, it overlooks Aljowf to the north.