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If you don’t visit anywhere else in Ta’iz, you must see this place. It was the palace of 3 generations of despotic rulers, who claimed to be descendants of the prophet.
The exhibits belong to the second one, Imam Ahmed Bin Yehya Hamiduddin, who ruled from 1948 and believed he was bullet proof – until he was shot in 1962. He kept hostages in the citadel to try to get their families to swear allegiance to him. The 3rd Imam, his son, only ruled for a week.
The exhibits include the Imam’s blood stained clothes from when he was shot, his electric bed which he was rocked to sleep in, a collection of mont blanc pens, an etch-a-sketch and furniture and artefacts from daily life. Among the most impressive is the perfume room which contains an incredible collection of oils and perfumes ranging from old Arabic oils and bath and massage preparations to packaged modern classic perfumes Chanel, Ma Griffe, Nina Ricci, Dior, Givenchy – all in massive bottles.
You can’t take photographs in the palace and the guides only speak Arabic.
The exterior is also very beautiful.
Written Mar 9, 2008
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Originally built by the Rasulids, but also used by the Ottomans for defence, castle Qalat al-Qahira is perched high up on a hill overlooking the city.
You cannot go inside but it is worth a quick look and you get good views of the city of Ta'iz.
Written Mar 9, 2008
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The suq in Ta'iz is really pretty with blue awnings and is well laid out with goods from the region – coffee, basketware, breads and cheeses as well as jewellery and pottery.
It is pleasant to walk around as it is quite spacious and has a very relaxed atmosphere.
Written Mar 9, 2008
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The Al Ashrafiya mosque was built by the Rasulids in 628 and rebuilt in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is currently being restored with World Heritage funds. The restoration is expected to take many years and cost 2 million euros.
It has 2 minarets and a Madrassa, with a large and impressive dome over the Northern prayer hall. It is highly decorative inside on the shutters, ceilings and windows.
The main entrance is close to the mountains, we went in by the city entrance.
Written Mar 9, 2008
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The castle which hangs over the city is an enormous piece of military engineering and is currently being restored, expense seemingly no object. As can be seen from the photo on my ta'izz page it has several concentric rings of defensive walls, crowned by a castle which is unfortunately still used by the military and is therefore off-limits. As impressive as the walls are the vast cisterns built to ensure that shortage of water would not be a problem in case of seige.
And of course the views are stupendous.
Updated Nov 11, 2007
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This mosque complex with its utterly distinctive twin white minarets was founded by the founder of the Rasulid dynasty in the thirteenth century.
Unlike most other mosques in Yemen, it is actually possible to enter this one if you are not a muslim, and although one can only actually enter the madrasa and the royal mausoleum you can poke your head into the prayer hall and see the interior decoration. This is in course of restoration by an Italian team: there are small patches where the paintwork had been cleaned revealing bright colours that lie beneath the thick layer of dirt that has turned the interior almost black.
Updated Aug 11, 2007
A turisk Al-Mutabiya Mosque was built in pre-13th century and located at end of old town.
Written Aug 10, 2008
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Al-Ashrafiya Mosque constructed in 628 with beautiful twin minarets located at end of old town in Ta'izz.
Written Aug 10, 2008
Written Jul 28, 2008
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Qalat-al Qahira, the old citadel and the governor's palace that rests on top of a mountain spur 450 metres above the city centre.
Updated Jul 28, 2008
Reviews and photos of Ta`izz attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Ta`izz sightseeing.
Qalat-al Qahira, the old citadel and the governor's palace that rests on top of a mountain spur 450 metres above the city centre.
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Ta’iz is referred to as “The Dreaming City.” It has been inhabited since pre-Islamic times and is 1400m above sea level in the Southern Highlands Under the Rasulid rule of 1229 to 1454 Ta'iz became......
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Like so many places I visited in Yemen, I wasn't here long enough to gain anything but the most fleeting impression of Ta'izz. It's now a big city, and my twenty or so hours there were only enough to...
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Qalat-al Qahira over Ta'izz city
Ta'izz is a city in the Yemen Highlands near the famous Mocha port on the Red Sea, lying at an elevation of about 1,400 metres above sea level, with 460,000 inhabitants (2003 estimate). It is the...
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My first foray into the South Western Highlands was Ta'izz, possibly the world's busiest small city. Its streets were bursting with people, cars, motorbikes, street vendors and their, market stalls....
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