【GreaterDive】"Manhattan" of the Desert: Old Walled City of Shibam

"Manhattan" of the Desert: Old Walled City of Shibam

The Old Walled City of Shibam in Yemen, named the "Manhattan in the Desert," was first established in the 16th century. This city, perched atop towering cliffs, boasts one of the oldest and most iconic examples of vertical architectural design.

The area of the Old City of Shibam contains some 400 magnificent buildings with an average height of between 5 and 10 storeys, the first vertical buildings in the world, all made of clay traditional bricks mixed with straw. The Old City of Shibam was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982.

Thousands of years ago, the Yemeni region's abundance of frankincense and its location between the Red Sea, Africa and Asia made it an important stop on the Silk Road and maritime trade, including the Kingdom of Sheba, as recorded in the Hebrew Bible.

Surrounding the ancient city are fortified defensive walls, serving as protection against floods and safeguarding the residents within, showcasing the architectural ingenuity of its people ✨.
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