San'a: History

Pre-20th-Century History

According to legend, San'a was the City of Shem mentioned in the Bible, and built by Noah's son. It may also have been the town of 'Azal' described in the Old Testament. Whatever its exact origins, San'a is undoubtedly one of the most ancient towns on the Arabian Peninsula. Inhabited during Sabaean times, it was later the capital of the great Himyarite dynasty in the early 6th century AD. It also served as a power base for the Abyssinians and Persians. In the 7th century AD - Islam arrived, altering forever the face of the city, as early mosques and minarets rose up to replace the old churches. The city was later expanded under the Ottomans.

Modern History

After the civil war in the 1960s, San'a experienced a period of rapid growth, doubling in size every four years. In 1984, old San'a in its entirety was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site (the old town is so perfectly preserved that it is said that you can walk a square kilometre without encountering a single new building).

Recent History

Historically, politically and economically, San'a was the obvious choice for the capital of the reunited Yemen in 1990. The current situation in the Middle East continues to dog the country. See Yemen's 'Recent History' for more information.

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