In the Middle Eastern country of Yemen, a lot of impressions and unique attractions await any tourist. But a special monument of history and architecture is the palace on the top of the cliff "Dar-al-Khedzhar", which is also called the "Imam's Castle". This iconic object, literally fused with a stone, has been striking for more than a decade not only with its breathtaking beauty, but also with its history of creation.
On the top of a cliff in the Wadi Dhahr valley (Wadi Dahr), 15 km from Sana, the capital of Yemen, is the Dar al-Hajar palace, locally called the Imam's Palace or castle. This iconic building is not only a historical architectural monument, but also the most recognizable symbol of the whole country.
Fantastic images of the palace, more like a mirage, can be seen not only on the covers of travel guides, brochures or postcards, but also on the labels of goods produced in the country. This popularity is due to the beauty of the building itself and the fact that the Imam's Palace has a special historical value.
Naturally, what residents and guests of the country can contemplate now is an updated version of an ancient building that was destroyed by the Turks back in the Middle Ages. It was partially restored in different periods, but it acquired its fantastic shape only during the reign of Imam Yahya bin Mohammed Hamid ad-Din in the 30s of the last century.
Historical reference: Imam Yahya bin Mohammed Hamid al-Din (1869-1948) was the de facto leader of the country, since in Yemen until 1999 there was no other institution of power other than the supremacy of an Islamic spiritual leader who ruled the country alone. The imam's methods of government were as simple and understandable as possible for the common people. The imam simply sat under an umbrella in the city square and listened to all the petitions and proposals, which he approved or not, and anyone who wished could attend this event, which took place every day.
The ruler did not have a court retinue, he independently appointed and controlled the collection of taxes, and kept the entire treasury of the country … under his bed. The only thing was that important decisions of state importance could be made at a council with the participation of tribal leaders and high-ranking religious leaders. It is to the last imam of Yemen that the world owes such an extraordinary palace, which was created on the prehistoric ruins of a structure that appeared even before Islam itself. Until now, it is not known for certain what kind of object was erected on the top of the cliff, but apparently it was a religious structure, since burial chambers were found in the depths of the rock.
Thanks to Imam Yahya in the 1930s, construction began on the seven-story Dar al-Hajar castle, which he planned to use as a summer residence for receiving dignitaries and ambassadors. During the construction of the new structure, the prehistoric ruins were dismantled, and in their place a palace was built, built in the best traditions of Yemen. The sand-colored facade adorns a white plaster ornament, which clearly echoes the decorations of the gingerbread houses of the capital, and the windows sparkling in different colors are created in the traditional Tahrim style, reminiscent of the European stained-glass design of window and door openings.
The interior decoration also corresponds to the generally accepted style of design and space zoning. Considering the position of the owner of the palace, it was not surprising that 35 rooms were equipped in it, among which a third of the premises were given to the needs of the imam. These are halls for receiving guests, rest rooms (they are also called sofa rooms) and refectories, bedrooms and a bathhouse, from which there is an exit to an open balcony.
The palace has a part of general purpose premises - a huge kitchen, storage rooms converted from the tombs of the former shrine, utility rooms. There are also premises for the harem, in which the imam's wives and maids lived. The main features of each floor are steep staircases leading to different levels, open balconies and terraces with stunning views of the valley, original plaster decorations, multi-cushion sofas and handmade carpets.
The most interesting architectural solution that the palace-fortress can boast of is a well cut through the rock. Its mine passes through all floors, so access to water is organized from inside the palace, which was an important advantage, because not only did its design play the role of a natural air cooler, but in the event of a siege, this well could provide residents with cool and clean water in unlimited quantities …
The austerity of the interior, even in the female half, once again proves the modestness of the needs of the last ruling imam in the country's history, who did not spend money from the treasury on the luxurious decoration of his chambers, as was customary among the rulers of Eastern countries. Despite the fact that the interior is more than modest, because in the rooms of the ruler there is neither luxury nor pomp, it is always interesting for a modern person to see how the rulers of states lived.
After the military coup in the country in 1948 and the physical elimination of Imam Yahya bin Mohammed Hamid al-Din, this residence was turned into a museum. Now, so that tourists can get to the castle, they just need to buy a ticket and you can safely walk through the rooms, climb steep and narrow stairs or admire the picturesque surroundings from balconies and terraces. For a fee, you can listen to traditional Yemeni tunes or see a dance in national costumes. These performances are organized by local youth, who are waiting for foreign tourists at the foot of the cliff, where the unique attraction of the country - "Dar al-Hajar" is located.
Castles of any country attract special attention, but when it comes to medieval buildings, many are breathtaking in anticipation of seeing a majestic building with many towers and pompous halls. But really our idea is far from the truth and is only an illusion and myth, which are thoroughly dispelled.