Zabid used to be an important place, both for commerce but also for the pilgrimage to Mecca. it was also an important centre of science and religion. founded at the beginning of the 9th century, the city received an important school in 819, which remained the only sunni university of Yemen until the last century. reportedly, algebra was invented at this school.
already in 635, a mosque (Al-Asharia) was built on the site of the future city of Zabid, one of the very first mosques in the country. one of the first arabic dictionnairies was written in this mosque in the 13th century. at its golden age from the 13th to the 15th centuries, Zabid was a cultural capital and a great university centre for the muslim world. at its height, the city counted up to 236 mosques. today, 86 mosques remain - for a city of 20,000 inhabitants!
the old Mosque Al-Iskander in Zabid.
parts of the former turkish citadel.
a round cupola is typical for the style of the mosques in Zabid and Tihama region.
the view from the top of the old ramparts of the citadel.
Pier Paolo Pasolini fell for the charme of Zabid and filmed parts of "A Thousand and One Nights" in this city.
inside one of the houses, in the Mafradj, the room where men gather to chew qat and discuss (and which was used in Pasolini's film).
drawings on the ceiling in the room (used by Pasolini for his film).
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