Sana – city thousand and one night

Capital of state Yemen – bright, colorful page of the chronicle of Arab culture based on Traditions Islam. District of the Old Town Sana – the biggest and well preserved Arabic quarter In the world of S 800-year-old Buildings.

Historic Mosaic

At the end 2nd millennium BC within the territory of Modern Yemen Formed SouthAvian civilization with the ancient states. One of which is Sabey kingdom (X century BC.NS.), which is confirmed by archaeological excavations. According to the legend, City of Sana was founded Symoma, Son Biblical November, immediately after the end Great Flood. In Yemen, he led the bird that indicated his place where to establish the city.
V early IV century AD Yemen and South Arabia were ruled Himjaritsky kingdom, whose capital has become Sana. For centuries-old history, the city ruled Arab Khalifat, Ottoman Empire, Independent State, Immamat Zeidites. His power sought to show United Kingdom. Only XX century allowed Yemen Get first autonomy status and then independence. 1990 united the north and southern part of the country in Yemen Republic.
In the old royal palace is National Yemen Museum. The exhibition halls occupying five floors are devoted to the history of the country, starting with Sabey kingdom. In the ethnographic department of the museum there are many interesting exhibits: National costumes, carpets from different parts of the country.

Maze of the old town

Square of the Old Town Surrounded by 4 meter, in places destroyed clay and stone walls. The number of ancient historical fortifications includes Watchtower, Mounted every few dozen meters. The solid clay dried in the sun can be rain, so the walls are repaired every year. Panorama of old quarters is best viewed with roofs of hotels "Arabia Felix" and "Sana Knights". The entrance to the old part of the city from the south is Bab al-Yemen – The main goal of Yemen, built in 1870.

Only significant streets of the old city Marked on the map of Sana. A lot of loop lanes is known only to local residents. Narrow streets consist of traditional residential houses-towers and public buildings (mosques, buying), located very close to each other. On the first floors of high and narrow houses there are no windows – it is an additional Security measure.

Facade of structures are decorated with complex white gypsum borders, highlighting on a reddish-orange background of walls of buildings. Window through work and door shoals resemble glaze on the cake. House doors are covered Figures and letters, real masterpieces created by blacks and trees on wood. Stained glass glasses and translucent alabastral tiles – additional window decoration.

House-towers

Centuries under construction high residential buildings have at least five floorJ. They live in several generations of families from several dozen people. The first floors are stone, and the tops are made of clay bricks dried on the sun, so that inside it was cool even during the abnormal heat. After all, the Yemen capital is located in the zone dry tropical monsoon climate.

Typical house It has one input. From the main hall, you can get into rooms on the first floor that occupy Pets, Warehouses for wheat and fruit. On the second floor there is a bathroom and a living room. In the elegant hall spend Important family ceremonies – Wedding, celebrating the birth of a child, funeral. Higher floors occupies a kitchen and bedrooms. On the top floor (Mafraje) – room chapter of the family in which he takes guests.

Although Yemenians are considered hospitable people, Not every foreigner will receive an invitation to a private house. Crossing the threshold of the Yemen dwelling, the guest has a high honor of the owner, falling on the sacred territory.

Great Mosque

In the capital More than a hundred mosques, The most important one is Al-Jami al-Kabir, located near the gate Bab Al-Yemen. Built in VII century She was repeatedly rebuilt. V IX and XIII centuries Two minaret added. During The reconstruction of the temple in 1972 In the attic of the Great Mosque was discovered the oldest famous Copy of Koran.

V 2010 Yemen and Italian masters restored Wooden ceilings mosque. The oldest of the preserved Muslim shrines occupies a huge territory with separate chapels for women. It is said that the place for the Great Mosque chose himself Prophet Mohammed.

Market Square

Next to the Great Mosque and the Ancient South Gate Salt market – Home Commercial Zone of the Old Quarter, uniting 40 small markets. From a long time Sana flourished through trade between Syria, India and port cities in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The city remains An important center of trade. Well developed craft art.

In local markets you can buy Products, Spices Decorated with Embroidery and Pattern Textile Products, Traditional Yemen Dzhambia Daggers, Pottery and Jewelry with Gemstone Handmade Gold, Copper and Silver. With a large collection of handmade Yemen art, you can find Museum of Applied Art in the Palace of Imam Near Al-Tahrir Square.

Here are acquired Cat – Leaves and stalks of a mountain bush that traditionally chew Yemen men. Valuable natural stimulator with light narcotic effect In this country, does not apply to prohibited substances. Local believe that it is worth seeing "Flower of Paradise" Dear time, the feelings are exacerbated and consciousness becomes clear, it becomes an expressive and witty speech. Men have a custom – in the evening to gather with groups, talk, discuss the news and be sure to chew Cat, replacing it with alcohol, which The Quran is strictly prohibited in this Muslim state.

Right in the bazaar Breakfast grated beans (Ful), cooked in huge brass vessels. Consights are not seated on the floor, as accepted, but on the shops and chairs behind the narrow tables. V Clay Tananur Pekut Thin pellets, necessarily served by K Fully. During Strict fast In the Sacred Month Ramadan Happy food can not be taken. All meals begin after sunset, often accompanied by the game in the bone, which Yemeni children have fun.