Shibam
The Old Walled City of Shibam is one of the earliest and most perfect examples of vertical construction.
Shibam, nicknamed "The Manhattan of the Desert", was built on a hill to escape the floods of the wadi Hadramawt. The highest house is eight stories high, 29.15m. The average height is five stories. Most houses date from the 16th century, when Shibam was recovering from a severe flood.
Map of Shibam
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Stanislaw Warwas
Visited December 2009
Shibam Hadhramaut, called Manhattan of the desert... In the middle of the desert, with some palm grooves around, you can experience something really unexpected: 8-, 10-stories clay buildings, all brown with white geometrical ornaments. The oldest ones were built in 10th century - but according to the local law any new house built inside the city walls must follow the old pattern. There a small museum in Shibam and it is possible to visit some houses. Just ask around, and they let you in.
This starting point of visiting Shibam Hadhramaut (there's another Shibam close to Sana'a) can be Sayyun or for a very long day trip - Al Mukkalla.
Site Info
- Full Name
- Old Walled City of Shibam
- Unesco ID
- 192
- Country
- Yemen
- Inscribed
-
1982 - In Danger
- Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
-
3 4 5
- Categories
- Human activity - Urban planning
- Link
- By ID
Site History
2015 In Danger
under potential threat from armed conflict, in addition to already existing problems
1982 Inscribed
Site Links
Unesco Website
Official Website
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The site has 13 connections
Architecture
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22 Community Members have visited.