DHAMAR: Greatness of Almighty and Dexterity of Human [Archives:2005/894/Last Page]

COMPILED BY:YASSER AL-MAYASI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
ESHRAQ AL-BODIGI
FOR YEMEN TIMES
Dhamar is situated 100 km to the south of Sana'a, north of Ibb, and west of Al-Beidha, 2700 m above sea level. Its name “Dhamar” goes back to the king of Sheba and Dou-Reddan at 15-35 A.D. whose name was Dhamar Ali Yahber, and whose statue was found at Al-Nakhla AL-Hamra'a (The Red Palm) City. This city is one of the archeological sites that are found in AL-Hada'a province near to the Dhamar city.

Dhamar City is the capital of the governorate and is situated on the main road, which connects Sana'a with a number of other governorates. This city was one of the famous Arabic and Islamic culture and scientific centers in Yemen. Its Great Mosque is considered an ancient Islamic mosque, which was built in the period of the caliph Abi-Bakr AL_Sadeek.

As Dhamar city had a great role in the politic and trading life in Yemen. It had a very important historical role in Yemen before the Islamic age. The antique Yemeni engravings mentioned Dhamar city as being a very famous center of the Islamic studies and sciences, and many of the great scientists are attributed to this historical town.

In past times, the people of Dhamar were famous for bringing up horses. However, the town is still famous for its numerous historical mosques and schools, which are distinguished by their beautiful characteristic architecture in harmony with the colors of its volcano land.

Archaeological and Tourist Sites in Dhamar:

– Adrah Dam:

Adrah village is famous for its large number of dams. Adrah Dam is 10 kilometers to the east of Dhamar city. This dam dates back to the Hymiarate civilization but its ancient monuments are still there.

The Dam is a water barrier built between two mountains. It is 67 meters long, 47 meters height, and approximately 20 meters width.

– Beinoon:

It is a vestigial city situated to the east of Dhamar city at AL-Hada'a province, Thouban zone. It is one of the archaeological sites whose history goes back to the Hymiarate state.

The most important sight there is Beinoon palace and some ruins of an ancient temple, as well as the two tunnels that are engraved into two mountains for transferring torrents' water from valley to valley.

The first tunnel goes through Beinoon Mountain but it is plugged up because of the collapse of their entrance. However, the second names AL-Nakoob tunnel is still in well condition. AL-Nakoob tunnel is 150 m long, around 3 m width, and 4.5 m height; there are some engravings in the wall of the tunnel that explain the aim of engraving and its age, which is about 1800 years.

– Ani's Ali Bath:

This is a natural mineral steam bath, lying northwest of Dhamar City, surrounded by green belt of various fruit farms. This bath is considered one of the well-known mineral steam bath in Yemen and the visitors head for some special seasons in order to hospitalization of many different kinds of diseases.

– Al-Lassi Bath:

This is another steam-vapor bath, lying to the east of Dhamar City, on Al-Lassi citadel at 2800 meters above the sea level. The citadel dates back to 11th century A.H. Nearby, there are some remains of ancient sulfur mines.

– Doran Anss:

It is about 15 kilometers at the west of Mabear area; located on the north level of the famous mountain AL-Dameagh. It is the center of Anss zone and was the capital of Yemen during the Imam AL-Motwakeel Ala-Allah Ismail Ben AL-Kassem in 17th century A.D.

The mountain, full of the green farms, was enclosed by a wall until its summit and surrounded by towers and castles that are built with huge stones. All of these ancient ruins are remaining until this day.

There is a large historical mosque built by AL-Motwakeel on the Mount AL-Dameagh. In the middle of this mountain there is a cave overlooking Doran city from the southwest side. Some of old Hymiarate engravings were found at the entrance and at the east side of that cave, but it is hard to get there.

– Automah:

Automh province is located 16 kilometers to southwest of Dhamar city and far about 155 km to the southwest of Sana'a. Automah is rich in the tourist components, which is infrequently to find such a place like this area subsequently, since it is declared as a protected natural area.

This protected area has a very splendid nature that reflects the greatness of the Almighty and the dexterity of Yemeni human.
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