Yemen is a country in the Middle East which individualizes itself through its one of a kind architecture. Al Harajah is no exception when it comes to that as it is usually called the “mysterious walled city”. The secluded charm combined with the Yemeni vernacular architecture makes Al Hajarah a unique spot in the world and one of the strangest places to live in.
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| Al Hajarah - Walled city in the mist - Yemen |
You can find the strange shapes and the bizarre aspect of Al Hajarah which seems to rise from the ground surrounding the top of a cliff in Western Central Yemen, in the San’a’ Governorate. The enigmatic city appearing like it has been forgotten in time, is located in the Haraz Mountains, at 2,402 meters (7883 feet) altitude. In fact the spectacular and peculiar Al Hajarah has been surviving ever since the 12th century, nowadays counting a small number of inhabitants, counting approximately 2500. Not only that the region is one of the best trekking areas, but is also has spectacular panoramic views and Al Harajah dominated the sight with its incredible mud brick architecture with Islamic influences.
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| Al Hajarah - Walled city in the mist - Yemen |
Al Harajah is built in traditional Yemeni vernacular architecture which represents the main style incorporated in houses, buildings and structures. From the “skyscrapers” of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shibam, nicknamed the “Manhattan of the Desert”, Al Hajarah preserves the heritage and aesthetics of the praiseworthy Yemen, Arabic architecture with multi-storey buildings with Islamic detailing. AL Hajarah is one of the great architectural evidence that the Yemen culture has promoted over generations, a true connection with nature by using the oldest building material on the planet in a creative way. The mixture of mud and bricks for high-rise buildings clustered in wall mass is specific here and it is exceptional that even made of such ephemeral, accessible material; the buildings of the ancient times have survived in time.
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| Al Hajarah - Walled city in the mist - Yemen |
Connect with nature and try hiking across the Haraz Mountain chain. Observe the appeal of Al Hajarah from underneath the cliff it was built on or from the nearby summits. Spot de cultural difference in the way the city was projected in the 12th century and feel impressed with the lack of modernism which has maintained and will always possess infinite beauty. Compare a city with small population to the capital of Sanaa which is another expression of mud brick architecture but does not include the secluded charm. Photograph and immortalize a sight that is rare, bizarre and exclusive even in this country of the Middle East where mud brick architecture is something specific.
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| Al Hajarah - Walled city in the mist - Yemen |
Al Hajarah is an impressive, unique site, bizarre and mysterious, so far from the modern world. It exposes the Yemeni culture with multi-storey buildings and a combination of mud brick buildings which accentuate the connection with nature.
(Travel Nut)