The Expanded Narrative
Shibam is the oldest skyscraper city in the world, built entirely of mud brick, representing the peak of urban architecture in a desert environment.
The Manhattan of the desert
Shibam is the oldest skyscraper city in the world, built entirely of mud brick, representing the peak of urban architecture in a desert environment.
The genius of engineering
- Residential towers rising from 5 to 11 storeys
- Thick walls providing excellent thermal insulation
- A network of narrow alleys protecting from the sun’s heat
- An advanced water drainage system protecting buildings from floods
A story of endurance
The Hadhramis built this unique city as an impregnable fortress against invaders, honouring it through the centuries with continuous renewal, so it remained a witness to a human will defying the harshness of nature.
The oldest skyscraper city in the worldBuilt entirely of mud brickTowers rising from 5 to 11 storeysInscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
