Dar al-Hajar Rock Palace

A Five Storey Stone Palace Built In The 1780s By The Imam Of Yemen On Top Of A Rock Outcrop And Later Used As A Summer House By Imam Yahya In The 1930s. Yemen'S Best Known Image On Postcards And Banknotes. Rooms With Painted Ceilings, A Qat Room And A View Over The Wadi Dhahr. Close To Sana'A And So Under The Same Authorities And Risks · Wadi Dhahr, Sanaa

Dar al-Hajar, the Rock Palace, stands on a tall sandstone outcrop in Wadi Dhahr, about 10 km north-west of Sana'a. It was built in 1786 as a summer house for a leading figure of the imams' court, and Imam Yahya expanded it in the 1930s. It rises five storeys from the rock in brick and stone, with white-trimmed windows and a roofline that seems to grow out of the cliff. Inside are narrow stairs, plastered rooms with painted ceilings and carved wood, kitchens, a deep well, a majlis, and the qat room at the top, where guests once gathered in the afternoon to chew and talk. From the upper levels the view runs across green fields in the valley, and from the road the whole rock stands out against the hills. The palace is Yemen's most photographed building and has appeared on countless postcards and covers. It sits close to Sana'a, so it shares the risks of the capital, including checkpoints and the chance of airstrikes. Most governments advise against all travel to Yemen.

Wadi Dhahr, about 10 km north-west of Sana'a, on a rock pillar above a green valley, Wadi Dhahr, Sanaa, Yemen

There are no reliable hours that can be given here, as opening has varied over the years and with the conflict. In normal times the palace was open to visitors in the morning and afternoon and CLOSED on Fridays, with extra closures on religious holidays. The valley and the outside views of the rock are FREE to look at from the road and fields. A small entry fee for the interior is common in good times, so it is not FREE inside. Interior rooms may be CLOSED for repairs or because of the security situation. Confirm current access with a trusted local contact on the day.

Dar al-Hajar Rock Palace on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos