Habban City, Shabwah
YemenPermanent Delegation of the Republic of Yemen to UNESCO
Shabwah Governorate, Habban District
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Description
The Historic City of Habban is an ancient city dating back to the 7th century BCE. It is built entirely of traditional, pure adobe and is enclosed by an old city wall. The city contains historic Islamic mosques, libraries, shrines, religious pilgrimage sites, the Palace of the Wahidi Sultan, a Jewish quarter, and a cemetery specifically for the Jewish community. Additionally, a valley filled with Hebrew inscriptions reflects the religious practices of the Jewish population, who used the valley as a place of worship every Saturday.
The city has remained continuously inhabited and vibrant from the 7th century BCE to the present day. Historically, it was a commercial hub situated along ancient trade caravan routes. Habban is distinguished by a unique and pure architectural style based entirely on traditional earthen construction.
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value
Habban witnessed a significant cultural and civilizational interaction between its Jewish and Muslim populations, particularly in terms of religious freedom, customs, and traditions. The Jewish community lived peacefully alongside the city’s inhabitants for nearly a century and left behind numerous cultural and historical markers that remain intact today.
Criterion (iii): The Historic City of Habban represents an exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition that extends back to the 7th century BCE. It served as an important commercial station on the ancient Incense Route and came under the rule of successive Yemeni dynasties, most recently the Tahirid state in the 15th century. In the modern era, Habban was the capital of the Wahidi Sultanate from the 16th century until the mid-20th century. Cultural and human activity continues to thrive in this historic city today.
Criterion (iv): Habban presents an outstanding example of a traditional architectural style based on unique and refined engineering principles. The city's key elements—its protective wall, adobe structures, ancient mosques, libraries, shrines, pilgrimage sites, and both Islamic and Jewish cemeteries—remain largely intact and preserve their original, authentic architectural character.
Criterion (vi): Habban is renowned as a "City of Peace" due to the harmonious coexistence of its Jewish and Muslim populations. This peaceful coexistence fostered a rich cultural and civilizational synthesis visible in shared customs, bilingual communication in Arabic and Hebrew, and mutual engagement in various professions and religious practices. Over 500 Jewish residents historically worked in Habban as artisans, craftsmen, and producers of jewellery, agricultural tools, pottery, and more.
Statements of authenticity and/or integrity
Habban retains its distinctive architectural identity based on traditional, pure adobe construction without alteration or degradation of its original materials. Its key historical landmarks and urban components form a harmonious and artistically remarkable architectural ensemble.
The city has preserved its overall architectural character, maintaining its unique and distinguished form. Major elements such as the city wall, palace, Islamic and Jewish cemeteries, libraries, shrines, pilgrimage sites, and buildings have retained their original, authentic forms with minimal distortions.Comparison with other similar properties
National Comparison – Habban vs. Shibam:
Historic City of Habban:
Dates back to the 7th century BCE, making it older than Shibam, which dates to the 4th century CE.Served as the capital of the Wahidi Sultanate from the 16th to the 20th century.
Some buildings feature a distinctive architectural element called the nūbah—a small room atop the building that enhances its visual appeal.
Historic City of Shibam:
Dates back to the 4th century CE.Has never served as a capital.
International/Regional Comparison – Habban vs. Yazd (Iran):
Historic City of Habban:
Dates to the 7th century BCE.Adobe buildings are multi-storied, sometimes reaching eight floors or more, and are terraced in design.
City of Yazd, Iran:
Adobe buildings are typically single-story.