Dar al-Hajar – Yemen

Yemen's Dar al-Hajar – or 'stone house' is a rock column behold one of the world's most spectacular constructions. The former royal residence grows out of the rock pinnacle upon which it’s perched. The Dar al-Hajar or “Rock Palace” is located in Wadi Dhar, around 15 km (9 miles) from the capital city of Sana, Yemen. It seems to grow out of the rocks on which it is constructed and it has the characteristic painting of its windows and edges. Yemen’s architecture Dar al-Hajar palace, built atop a tall natural rock spire is nevertheless fantastical.

The five-storey building looks incredible from every angle. So, it won’t be surprised to see Dar al-Hajar on a Yemeni currency note (the 500 rials one). In 1920’s Islamic spiritual leader named Yahya Muhammad Hamiddin (ruler of Yemen from 1904 to 1948) stayed here as a summer residence. This place didn’t leave good memories for Imam Muhammad Yahya as his grandson assassinated him during a coup in Yemen in 1948. Nevertheless, the palace did remain in the ownership of the Yemeni royal family until the Yemen 1962 revolution.

However, Islamic scholar Imam Mansoor Ali Bin Mehdi Abbas constructed atop of the structure on the rock column. This beautiful building has multiple facilities of kitchen, storage area, guest rooms, and sedate courtyard leading through the five-story structure. The main feature of this building is to look like a fortress with shooting emplacements to defend the place from attackers. Therefore, it’s indeed easy on the eye, though designed to withstand attack and its own water supply from deep below the rock', meaning it could 'easily have withstood a siege'.

Now it’s a popular example of Yemeni architecture for tourists, who can see the rooms and explore the labyrinth of staircases. Now Dar al-Hajar has a museum, and tourists paid a visit to the palace have sung its praises on the internet. Its a fantastic place and one of the best things you will see in Yemen. You will have a wonderful experience to see this old Yemeni palace and understand more about the local life and culture.' It is nothing like you have ever seen before to pay a must-visit and relish the exquisite view. The majestic five floors offer enough to relish, but walking around at its base is equally impressive and heightens your admiration.

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The Alien Beauty of Socotra Island

Socotra is an isolated island, situated around 250 miles off the coast of Yemen. It is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean. The exclusive characteristic of Socotra Island is to home of some of weirdest looking plants that are found nowhere else on planet earth. The largest member of the archipelago also called Socotra. The Socotra is also spelled Sokotra, Arabic Suquṭrā, Island. Actually, Socotra Island is an archipelago formed of four islands, near the Gulf of Aden. It is very isolated, and has a harsh, hot, and dry climate, used to be part of Africa six million years ago. The trees are out of Land of the Lost and the feeling you have is like nowhere else.

Socotra Island is swarming more than 800 rare species of plants of which more than a third are endemic. The extremely high levels of endemism also take place in Socotra’s reptiles. Also 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else on the earth. In recognition of its distinct plant and animal life, the archipelago was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. The Socotra Island has a rich fauna, including several endemic species of birds, i.e., Socotra starling, the Socotra sunbird, Socotra bunting, Socotra cisticola, Socotra sparrow, Socotra golden-winged grosbeak and a species in a monotypic genus, the Socotra warbler.

Socotra Island marine life is very diverse with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp, and well represented in the property’s marine areas. The Socotra Island is considerably inhabited, and has been for more than 2,000 years. Almost 50,000 people now live on the main island of the archipelago, engaged with fishing, animal husbandry, and the cultivation of dates are the primary occupations of the indigenous population. In 2010 a Russian archaeological team discovered the ruins of a city on Socotra dating to the second century. The island is also held by some to be the location of the original Garden of Eden, due to its isolation, biological diversity, and the fact that it is located on the edge of Yemen’s Gulf of Aden, which many connect with the ancient Sumerian tales of a paradise called Dilmun.

More than 250 million years ago, Socotra Island stood apart, when all planets were joined and most main life forms roamed freely. Socotra has been breeding many species of plants, birds and animals. The most famous plant is secular Cinnabar or Dragon’s Blood Tree “Dracaena cinnabari”, which is an umbrella shaped tree. Locals have different superstitions about this tree, believed this tree has red sap thought to be dragon’s blood of the ancient. However, this plant is used in medicine, dye, paint & varnish, various endemic aloes, and for cosmetics. Socotra isolation from other land masses meant whatever evolutionary process the flora and fauna underwent never spread to the mainland.

Another great plant is Desert Rose Tree (Adenium obesium), which appears to have some captivating forms that are trying to penetrate the rocky soil. It also produces striking massive pink flowers in April. Its trunk is a precious reservoir of water for this area with a nearly desert climate and it can reach five meters in height and three meters in diameter. Other endemic plants includes the massive succulent tree Dorstenia gigas, the cucumber treem Moraceae, Dendrosicyos socotranus, the rare Socotran pomegranate (Punica protopunica), Aloe perryi and Boswellia socotrana. In the interior, nomads keep cattle and other animals and raise some crops. Socotra Island main exports are ghee (clarified butter), fish, and frankincense.

On the other hand, the only mammals native to Socotra are bats. However, on the island there are many cats and dogs, which are much bigger than the European ones, reaching up to 27 pounds. Socotra has unbelievable Alien beauty and natural habitat, mesmerizing place and welcoming, simple people. Socotra Island has airport facility. The best time to visit Island from October till April. The other months have heavy monsoon rainfall, making it difficult for tourist survival and flights often cancelled. Moreover, keep in mind Socotra Island doesn’t have any well-established hotels, only few guest houses for travelers to stay.

 

 

Shahareh Bridge, Yemen

Shahareh is also called Shehara is actually a large mountain village and seat of Shaharah, almost 90 km to the northeast of the 'Amran Governorate, Yemen. The village lies at 2600 metres and overlooks mountainous bulging swells to the south and shimmering hot plains to the north. The village, which lies on top a sharp mountain of the same name, Jabal Shaharah, comprises of numerous ancient stone houses and a cistern. The area is popular due to its limestone arch bridge, constructed in the 17th century by a local lord to link two villages ((Shahara and Al-Madan) across a deep gorge. It can be reached through the city of Houth.

Shahara is the administrative center of the district and city is situated on the converging mountains; the eastern and the western recognized as “Shaharat Al-Feish” and “Shaharat Al-Amir”, each is over 3000 metres above sea level. Hence, travelling between the two mountains used to need a lot of time and effort due to the uneven roads and precipitous terrain. The bridge was built in 1323 A.H, 1905 AD during the Imam Yahia Bin Hameededdein’s regime of the Ottoman Turkish period. The Shahara Bridge is considered to be one of most significant Yemeni architectural masterpiece and a great geometric work, with lovely innovations with the existence of a paved stone road in the western mountain starting from at the bridge and travelling upwards. Moreover, due to the declivity of rocks, the architect was forced to design arches and erect the paved way that was built on them. Every year myriads tourists come to see this famous Bridge of Sighs and admire the engineering efforts. The bridge can be reached by climbing many terraced slopes or, selecting the path of least resistance, by hiring a local fella' and his pick-up truck to carry you up. 

Therefore, the view from bridge at Shahara is really awesome, as both sides of the bridge the mountains parted and revealed a glimpse of the massive valley. Many legends believe that the local people can eliminate the bridge in few minutes in case of any forthcoming danger. No doubt it is a frightening bridge and a prevalent tourist attraction. The local residents still cross it often as a part of their daily routine work. However the manufacturing mastermind of this bridge can be reached by climbing the numerous stepped slopes or, selecting the path of least resistance, by accompanying a local guide with you.Source: Charismatic Planet