71 Ottoman milestones documented in the capital

Maidan hamman is one of the most famous Ottoman bath houses in Old Sana’a.

A Turkish expert who visited Yemen recently documented 71 Ottoman archaeological milestones in the secretariat of the capital, which together constitute a pattern architecturally unique in the old Islamic style adopted by the Ottomans to build forts and castles, water centers, baths and mosques.

The visit aimed to take stock of the Ottoman installations constructed in Yemen during the Ottoman presence, which examined the historical and archaeological ruins, for the purpose of inventory, documentation and contribution to the process of renovation. It also aimed to help rehabilitate and preserve sites that are disappearing as tourist landmarks of Yemen, and demonstrates the depth of history and culture relations between the two countries and brotherly peoples.

The adviser to the Minister of Culture Ali Jar Allah Al-Theeb said that the remaining of Ottoman buildings in the middle of old Sana’a city totaled nine Ottoman landmarks including Khan al-Ganobi (the southern Khan), currently known a copper broker’s for handcrafts and Yemeni agate, as well as Khan al-Gharbi (the western Khan), currently known al-Mansoura brokerage.

Al-Theeb noted that there were a number of Ottoman dinking water centers and mosques in Old Sana’a city in Souq al-Milh (the Salt Market) during the Ottoman presence in Yemen, such as the unique royal water center that was existed in front Bab al-Yemen. This water center was destroyed by Imam Yahya when he entered Sana’a in 1919, then it was moved to a suitable place currently now adjacent to the Great Mosque and the henna market.

There are also mosques built in the Ottoman period in the middle of the al-Milh market such as Jeneah and al-Mathab mosques. 

Regarding to the Ottoman buildings remaining in the rest of reviving Old Sana’a city, al-Theeb pointed out that the number of the remaining are eight buildings, such as the Royal famous mosque known by al-Bakyria dome built by Minister Hassan Basha in 1005 AH in a memory of the martyr “Bakeer Basha”, who fell from his horse during the celebration of his graduation with a group of his colleagues for the Conservation of the Holy Quran.

Al-Theeb noted that the Turkish delegation had visited the state government building, which was built by Sultan Abdul-Hamid II in 1317 AH in the west of old Sana’a city, and the Ottoman parliament building to Yemen, and other Ottoman buildings deployed in the region.  There are remaining Ottoman buildings in Showb area, west Old Sana’a city. “they are eight buildings include Ozdemr Basha Mosque built by the Viceroy Ozdemr Basha in mid-tenth century and al-Roshedyiah school, the collage of administrators and accounting and senior staff.

The royal police service building is now known as Bab Shoab police section, which was established in 1322 AH as shown in the painting in front of the section, in addition to the water center and the well, and al-Tawashi mosque and Tawashi bathroom in al-Tawashi area, and the Ottoman mosque cemetery located in north al-Bakyriah mosque.

The remaining Ottoman buildings in Bir al-Azab area are seven edifices, including a medicine school and health affairs office in that area (near Dar al-Basha’er now), and Sheikh Ali al-Hamdani Palace with private bathroom in Bait Inqad area, and Bait Bashir (Bashir house) in vicinity of the Russian Embassy, and al-Qadi mosque in al-Bawnia area, and al-Bawnia bath, and some homes 16 Street and Tawfik Basha Street.

The Turkish delegation also visited the al-Defa’a complex, which was known as the Royal Military complex and was included on the building of the Islamic Ottoman armies, which was established by order of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II in 1301 AH.

They also visited the Military Museum in Sana’a by its building formerly known as the “Industrial Ottoman School,” which was established by the Governor Hussein Helmi Basha in 1320 AH and then they roamed through the museum galleries and its different sections.

Al-Tahreer Square also has Ottoman buildings and monuments, according to al-Theeb, such as Jamal Jamil and al-Wahdah schools, which have been called the Old Ottoman Royal Palace in Sharara Street. 

There is also the building of Judge Mohamed Ragheb Basha in al-Tahreer field, in addition to the Royal station for the railway, which was the main link between Sana’a and Hodeidah. It is currently located on the western side of the complex overlooking al-Sayilah (drainage system).

The building of Royal Girls College and girls secondary, which is the former building of the Ministry of Education, the House of Mail and Radio followed currently the Ministry of Communications are also included the list of Ottoman documented buildings in Yemen. 

The old royal military hospital is now called the National Museum and some buildings service counseling, and the Ottoman Treasury building is currently follows Social Affairs, as well as shops in al-Sabah market in al-Tahreer area to the side of the Jamal Jamil police station.

The Turkish experts recognized on the Ottoman monuments and historic cities in Kawkaban, Dhamar, Taiz, Hodeidah, Zabid, Hajja and others.

Sana’a has long been famous for its hammams, those steamy subterranean bathhouses, also known as Turkish baths. The city currently has 14 baths, generally assumed to date back to Islamic times; however, there is evidence that some are even older, reaching back to the pre-Islamic period. 

One of the most important models of this distinctive historic structure is the al-Maidan hammam—one of the best and most famous hammams in Sana’a—and characterized by its beautiful architecture. “The Ottoman sultan, Hassan Basha had it built in Sana’a in 1597, along with the Saba and Yasser hammams, which represent a historic era,” said Eng. Mohammed al-Namir, Director General of Projects at the Public Authority for Antiquities. 

Ahmed Gahwash, the owner of al-Maidan hammam said that this bath built in the Ottoman era of Abdul-Hamid al-Basha. “We experience a high attendance of people coming to our bath to get clean and relax of course, but also because of its history and architecture,” he said. “The hammam has a room that in the past was used privately by the Imam for washing in; we get it very hot by burning diesel or gas or charcoal.” Gahwash went on to thank the government represented by the Public Authority for Antiquities for its concern for these ancient baths.

The Turkish baths are considered to be among the basic facilities of Sana’a city. Every district of Old Sana’a has a hammam to help confer cleanliness and hygiene and to provide medical and health benefits. “Yemeni people are interested in Turkish baths because they are a part of our heritage, but also for several other reasons, such as health,” said Fadhel al-Qadasi, General Director of printing at Saba News Agency, and steam bath enthusiast.

The Turkish delegation experts praised the role of the Yemeni government in the maintenance of archaeological monuments and historical Ottoman buildings in Yemen, which indicates the depth of the ties of brotherhood between the two peoples and the two fraternal countries, noting the level of historical awareness enjoyed by the Yemeni people to maintain the effects of history and milestones.

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