Sanaa

Sanaa, also spelled Sana’a, is the capital and largest city of Yemen. It is located in the western highlands of the Arabian Peninsula on a high plateau, at roughly 2,300 meters above sea level. As the political, cultural, and economic center of the country, it hosts government institutions, universities, and major markets.

The Old City of Sanaa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1986. It is renowned for its dense urban fabric and distinctive architecture, including hundreds of multistory adobe houses with white lime plaster, elaborately decorated windows, and corner towers. The traditional street layout and construction techniques have helped preserve the area amid modernization.

Historically, Sanaa has deep roots as a major center in Yemen’s highlands, with prominence in pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. In the modern era, it became the capital of North Yemen and has remained the capital after the unification of the country in 1990.

Key landmarks in or near the city include the Great Mosque of Sana’a, one of the oldest mosques in the world, the gate Bab al-Yemen, and the nearby Dar al-Hajar (the Rock Palace). The city serves as a hub for crafts such as metalwork and pottery and functions as Yemen’s administrative and educational center.

Since 2014–2015, Sanaa has been significantly affected by the Yemeni Civil War. The conflict has damaged infrastructure and disrupted daily life, with the airport and other facilities operating intermittently and access for aid and travel varying with control of the city.