Culture ministry restores 5 houses in old Sana'a

SANA'A, Aug. 23 (Saba) =
- Culture Ministry started on Sunday the restoration operations for five =
houses about to be collapsed
in the Sana'a Old City funded by Heritage and Cultural Development Fund =
(HCDF).

Minister of Culture Mohammad al-Maflahi told the state-run 26sep.net =
that the houses are in the west of the Grand Mosque in the city.
He said that Ministry has taken the initiative to restore such houses =
due to the scarce potentials of the HCDF.
The Old City of Sana'a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years.
It presents a unique homogeneous architectural ensemble. The design and =
detail of each of the houses combine into an integral beauty.
Sana'a is also connected to the spread of Islam in the early years of =
the Hegira.
The old city, surrounded by ancient clay walls which stand 6 - 9 metres =
high, boasts over 100 mosques, 12 hammams (baths) and 6,500 houses.
Many of the houses resemble ancient skyscrapers, reaching several =
stories high and topped with flat roofs. They are decorated with =
elaborate friezes and intricately carved
frames and stained glass windows.
One of the most popular attractions is Suq al-Milh (Salt Market), where =
it is possible to buy not only salt but also bread, spices, raisins, =
cotton, copper, pottery, silverware,
antiques (both fake and real) and, formerly, slaves. The majestic =
seventh century Jami' al-Kabir (Grand Mosque) is one of the oldest in =
the Muslim world.
The Bab al-Yaman (Yemen Gate) is an iconized entry point through the =
city walls and is over 700 years old.
SA/AF