The Expanded Narrative
The stone houses of Yafi are not mere dwellings but an engineering achievement reflecting the genius of Yemenis in harmony with nature.
A rare architectural masterpiece
The stone houses of Yafi are not mere dwellings but an engineering achievement reflecting the genius of Yemenis in harmony with nature. Built of natural stone without any binding materials, some reach 7 storeys and 25 metres in height. The oldest date to the thirteenth century CE and still stand today.
Construction
- Stones dressed with extraordinary precision
- Walls one metre thick to resist earthquakes
Civilisational value
- The oldest model of vertical architecture in Arabia
- An expression of social cohesion and cooperation in building
- An architectural school influencing southern Yemen’s architecture
- A symbol of endurance and continuity across the centuries
Reaching 7 storeys and 25 metresBuilt without binding materialsThe oldest dating to the 13th century CEWalls a metre thick against earthquakes
