| Ghumdan Palace | |
|---|---|
|
Location within Yemen
|
|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Architecture |
| Town or city | Sana'a |
| Country | Yemen |
| Coordinates | |
| Completed | Mid third century AD |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ilsharah Yahdub |
Ghumdan Palace, also Qasir Ghumdan or Ghamdan Palace, is an ancient palace and fortress in Sana'a, Yemen. It is located just west of the Great Mosque of Sana'a,[1] and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Sana'a.
It may date to pre-Islamic times, constructed by the Sabaeans in the mid 3rd century by the last great Sabaean King Ilsharah Yahdub, although some historians date it to the beginning of the 2nd century or even the 1st century.[2][3]The palace was destroyed by Caliph Uthman, or even earlier, by the Abyssinian conqueror Abrahah Al-Hubashi. Restored several times, the palace history is rich in legends and tales. It is mentioned in many pieces of Arabic poetry, the poets singing about its beauty.[4]Ghumdan Palace tower, a 20-storey high rise building, is believed by some to have been the world's earliest skyscraper.[5]
Contents |
Though the old palace is now in ruins, its style, a towered, multi-floor structure, has provided the prototype for the tower type houses built in Sana’a. It is stated to project the "exquisite architecture of the old city".[3]
The palace was used by the last Himyarite kings who had ruled Yemen from Ghumdan and was once the residence of Abhalah.[6] It was reportedly destroyed by Caliph Uthman in the 7th century because he feared it could be used as a stronghold for a rebellion, and its materials were used to build the Great Mosque.[1] The palace was rebuilt some time later. The ruins of the palace tower are now in the form of a mound that extends from the east of the Great Mosque to the north of Bab Al-Yemen.
The palace tower was built at the top of a hill. There is dispute amongst historians such as Al-Hamdani, Mohammed Al-Qazwani and Dr. Adnan Tarsis as to the height of the original palace given that because of its grandeur, it was often exaggerated. Most claims are between six and ten storeys.[1] In the early 9th century, it was reported to have been "seven stories tall with the highest room being of polychrome marble, and its roof a single slab of green marble." However, al-Hamadi claims it to have been 20 stories high with each floor being 13 metres (43 ft) in height, perhaps referring to the tower of the palace.
Built over a square layout, the four outer faces of the palace were of marble in white, black, green and red. [2] The top floor of the tower contained the Bilqis Hall. This hall was described in the Al-Hamdanis (two volumes, preserved in the British Museum), as featuring a ceiling affixed with an eight-piece transparent marble. The four openings at the four corners of the hall provided a closer view of the moon, worshiped by kings in ancient Yemen.[4] Bronze lion figures at each corner of the alabaster ceilings were said to make a roaring sound when the wind passed through them. A gate, known as the “Qasr Al-Selah”, is said to be the last vestige of the palace tower.
The history of the palace is rich in legends and tales and it is mentioned in many pieces of Arabic poetry with poets singing about its beauty.[7] Legend states that when birds flew over the palace, their shadows could be seen on the ceiling.[1][2]
Dhu Jadan al-Himyari (fl. 6th - 7th century) wrote:
The poet Adiy b. Zayd al-Hiri wrote:
Long after its destruction, 10th century geographer al Hamdani (c. 893-945) quoted verses reflecting the legend of the tower of Ghumdan:[8][9]