A Yemeni man walks pensively across the stone overlooks of one of the most historically significant sites in Yemen. Bait Al-Hajr, or “The House of the Rock,” is a towering structure in Wadi Dahr that literally emerges from the rock face as it was built upon the strategically important high ground and spills out of the side of a mountain. Although it was later converted into a museum, it was once the home of the last Imam of Yemen.
Imam Yahya was both the religious and political ruler of Yemen and would receive guests and tribesmen, settle disputes, conduct official business, and reside in this structure.
Throughout my travels in Yemen, I was always struck by the beauty and unique character of Yemeni architecture. Despite the low availability of more expensive materials, Yemeni builders were—and continue to be—incredibly resourceful. They would utilize whatever basic materials they could lay their hands on to adorn these buildings—both ancient and contemporary alike—with some of the most intricate and pleasing designs I’ve seen anywhere.
While graffiti on these historic buildings would be strictly forbidden, I noticed these cacti were scarred with the names of visitors carved in Arabic. In a way, these plants became a living, historical tapestry of people who had made the arduous, and at times dangerous, journey to visit the official seat of the last Imam of Yemen.
To see more of my images, including more from the Middle East and the rest of my travels, check out my gallery here.
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Nature inspires me. We recently moved to a rural area of Misuisro. It is amazing just being able to look out my window and see deer and wild turkeys roaming our backyard. And all the birds, and their different songs! And of course, the funny antics of my pet chickens.
Hello! Cool post, amazing!!!
Thanks BobbuBrowne for your comment! Glad you liked it! I will be posting more from my travels throughout the Arab world in the coming weeks.