Taiz
Lies to the north west of the Yemeni Republic
bordered from north by the two govemorates of Hudaida and Ibb and from
the north east Al Daleh govemorate, from south - east.with Lahj
Governorate and from the west the Red Sea. Its capital city is Taiz, 256
from the capital Sana’ to the west.
The features of Taiz Govemorate are different ranging
from mountainous areas to plains and valleys. It overlooks a vast pare
of the coastal line of the Red Sea and the straits of Bab Al Mandeb. The
features heights reach a zenith of 3070m above sea level where the Al
Aros castle lies at Jabal Sabr. A lot of fertile valleys run across it
and so produce a variety of fruits such as mango, pomegranate, citrus
banana, papai, vegetables, cereals in addition to coffee beans.
A lot of cities in Taiz Governorate have flourished
through the different historical stages, some relate to the old Yemeni
history, such as Assoula city, Jappan, whereas they were mentioned in
the old Yemeni inscriptions. Jappan city is today the Al Ma’ afer. It
lies in a gap between Jabal Sabr and Jabal Thakhr (Jabal Habashi), now a
ruined city of which nothing has remained except a mosque.
Taiz Govemorate comprises a lot of cities,
antiquities, historical and touristic sites.
Taiz
City
It has a traditional history and past glory it is the
capital of the Governorate that carries its name, 256Km far from Sana
the capital to the south. It situated in the versant of Sabr mountain
whose height is 3070m above sea level and extends over green dunes and
hills that emanated fascination and beauty over the city.
Taiz City is considered one of the largest cities in
Yemen that played significant role in the
history of Yemen in different stages.
It reached its zenith when it was the capital city of
the Rasouliya state (1229-1 454AD) which could prevail all over the
Yemeni domains.
Taiz has a moderate climate which made it a summer
and winter resort of the most important landmarks of the city the
ancient old wall punctured by several gates but none has remained of as
per today except the large door and the Mousa door and parts of the wall
topped with Al Qahera fortress perching above the city at a height of 1
80meter. There is also the Ashrafiyya school named after King Ashraf Al
Rasouli (1377- 1400AD) adorned with two color distinguished minarets
amidst the volcanic rocks that lie at the foot of the mountain. Of the
landmarks also is Al Muzaffar mosque and Al Ma’tabiyyah dome decorated
from the interior with fantastic water colors. The city comprises as
well the city museum, which displays a set of curiosities and items that
once were in the palace of Imam Ahmad Bin Yahia Hameed Al Din
1948-1962AD). Jabal Mountain of Sabr accorded more beauty to the city
due to its extremely beautiful and splendid scenery. Many parks hug the
city of Taiz from all sides the most important of which are:
(Oseifra and the fogs valley).
Sabr
Mountain
An aloof mountain on whose foot lies the city of Taiz
and its unique and splendid fortress; to the west lies the ancient city
of Jaba. It is a blessed mountain as it flows with a lot of bounties,
springs and streams. Its sides are carpeted with a variety of
vegetation, particularly Al Qat trees, coffee, cereals and fruits of all
kinds, and spotted with any hanging beautiful villages which form an
extremely charming and fascinating scenery that takes the fancy of the
tourist and visitor especially the agricultural amphi-basins and hanging
houses which looks at night like a chandelier of electric lamp similar
to the stars glittering in the skyline.
Between Taiz city and the parts overlooking it from
Sabr mountain a beautiful and touristis road swerves along. It is very
amazing and breath - taking road, teems with the rhythm of daily
life activities and the scores of female figs and
roses vendors who come from Sabr mountain and sell their products
(crops) there daily. They are keen to wear their traditional costumes
that distinguish the girls of Sabr mountain from others Sabr mountain is
3070meter above Sea level.
Yafrus
A lot of tombs of blessed men spread in Taiz city,
most famous is that of Sheikh Ahmad Bin Alwan one of the famous Sufists,
attributed to him the Alwaniya method which is one of the Sufist ways.
Ibn Alwan lived in the days of King Al Mansour Nour Eldin Omar Bin Au Al
Rasouli (1300AD).
The tomb of Sheikh Ahmad Bin Alwan lies in the mosque
known by his name in Yafras city, situated to the south west of Taiz
city at 30Km on the right side of the road leading to Al Tirba city
(Stone built) the mosque dates back to 700, and witnesses yearly a lot
of visitors.
Al Turba
A famous city 72Km south to Taiz lies on a platen
rising 2200meter above sea level in the southwestern part of the western
heights overlooking southwestern slopes. Turba enjoys a moderate climate
and beautiful scenery. The road to it passes through many fertile
valleys and agricultural amphi-basins. Anciently it was known by (Al
Ma’afir) and comprises the city of Al Siwa that classical sources have
mentioned.
Shajarat Al Ghareeb (Stranger’s Tree)
It lies in Duba’ area (Duqm Al Ghurab) to the right
of the asphalted road leading to Turbat Dibhan. It is known historically
by (Al Kalhama). It is (the tree after which the city is called) a tree
of strange shape that has no similar. It is very huge in stem and
branches and its color looks like that of an elephant body.
Al Mocha
Famous City on the Red Sea coast 94Km to the west of
Taiz
city. It is one of the old harbors mentioned in
Humeiri inscriptions known by (Moza). It played a big role in Humeiri
era and was taken by Jubani state (contemporary to Humeiri state) as a
harbor. It played as well an influential role in the economic and
political Yemeni history and prospered with the trade of Yemeni coffee
especially at time of coffee export. By the dent of this harbor the
Yemeni coffee beans was known to the world and carried its name (Mocha
Coffee). Still the quality coffee beans hold this name up to day. But
Mocha lost its importance as a trading harbor in the wake of the rising
of Aden harbor in the late 19th century and after the emergence of Al
Hudaida harbor in the second half of the 20the century. However, it is
now restoring some of its past glory.
Of the landmarks of Mocha today is the Shazli mosque
and minaret which date back to more than 500 years. It is a
distinguished minaret.
This is in addition to certain antiquities, which
reflect the glory and prosperity of Mocha until to date.
Near to Mocha city scatter a number of beautiful
beaches caressed with palm trees, coconuts such as the Yakhtal beach,
and Malik (King) beach between the estuaries of Russian valley from the
north and Muwazia’ valley from the south.
Al Janad
A famous historical city 23Km to the north east of
Taiz city. It was the capital for one of the military grouping. Before
The spread of Islam, it was one of the Arabs seasonal markets and
witnessed the first mosque in Yemen, built by Mu’az Bin Jabal in the 8th
year of Hijra (630AD) when the prophet, peace be upon him, sent him to
Yemen and refurbished by Hussein Bin Salamah the Minister to Abi Al
Jaish Ziad, the last king of Ziad dynasty in Tehama.
Most parts of the city are demolished and now it is
just a small town. Salient landmarks of it are: the old mosque the water
canals carved inside the mountains at the depth of lOin constructed by
Al Mufaddal Bin Abi Barakat one of the ministers
of lady (Arwa) daughter of Ahmad Al Suleihi. A lot of scholars
and jurists belong to Al lund.
