Dar Al-Hajar (Stone House)

Sana’a, Yemen

Coordinates: 15.441273, 44.125626

Nearby Places

• National museum of Sana’a 12.82 Km SE (137°)
• Al-Mahdi Mosque, old town Sana’a 13.23 Km SE (137°)
• Old City of Sana’a (Unesco wolrd heritage) 13.35 Km SE (135°)

The Dar al-Hajar is a former royal palace located in Wadi Dhar about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Sana‘a, Yemen. Built in the 1920s as the summer retreat of Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din, ruler of Yemen from 1904 to 1948, it sits on top of a structure built in 1786 for the scholar al-Imam Mansour. The palace stayed in the royal family until the Yemen revolution of 1962. The palace is now a museum.

Architecture

The architecture itself is impressive. Built onto an imposing rock outcropping, the palace itself intertwines with nature. Some of the rooms and walkways are actually dug out of the rock, others are built on top of or around it. The roof was used to catch rainwater that flowed into a pool for bathing and washing. Refrigeration was through little windows where the wind would keep items cooler and fresh. Some rooms have nice details like steps that pull out of the wall, stained glass windows, or intricate carvings.

Well of Hz. Yaqub عليه السلام

The Dar-al Hajar itself should be the inspiration for the Biblical House built on the rock. In it are unimaginable attractions, most memorable being the well that never dries, also linked to the Biblical well of Hz. Yaqub عليه السلام, according to some locals.

Cheap entrance

You need to pay a cheap entrance fee to go up, as otherwise you can view from the outside to have a really nice picture.

Great view of Wadi Dahr valley
On your way out, there is a great viewpoint overlooking the Wadi Dahr valley. You can see the Rock Palace from here in the distance and a few ancient watch towers, with the agriculture in the valley. It’s worth the stop on your way.

Know This

If you are flexible with sightseeing time and don’t mind the crowds, try to get to Dar Al Hajar on Friday. This is the best time for people-watching, because many locals arrive here together with their large families. Also, you can catch local weddings, or watch the jambiyah dancers at the foot of the rock, or observe qat gatherers at the plantations surrounding the palace. In any case, the finest experience is guaranteed.