Old City of Saana

The Old City Saana in Yemen is a UNESCO World Heritage site. With it's ancient multi-level stone and rammed earth buildings richly decorated with geometric patterns using gypsum and fired bricks, the city, particularly when shot from a high viewpoint, is a photographer's delight. The women wear Abayas, black garments that cover them from head to toe leaving only their eyes visible. The city is filled with mosques with their slender minaret reaching to the sky. The people are among the most friendly and welcoming I have encountered anywhere. 

One Of The Oldest Inhabited Cities In The World

Supposedly founded by the Shem, the son of Noah, the city has been continuously inhabited for over 2,500 years. The Old City is called "al-Qadimah" while the new city is known as "al-Jadid." The old city is home to over a hundred mosques and over 6,500 houses. The ancient city is surrounded by a clay wall thrity to almost fifty feet high.  Saana, with a population of approximately 1,937,500 is Yemen's largest city and is also one of the world's highest capitals at around 7,500 feet in altitude.

Saana, Yemen And Adventure Travel Vacations

Saana, Yemen is a great destination for adventure travelers. Is it safe to travel there? Having just returned (January 2014) from almost three weeks there I have to say that if you use your head it is perfectly safe. It was a wonderful experience and a dream for a travel photographer!