Step back into ancient history when you explore the ruins of Ghumdan Palace, an extraordinary ancient fortified palace located in Sanaa, Yemen. Situated at the southeastern end of Sanaa's old walled city (al-Qaṣr) and west of the Great Mosque of Sana'a, this iconic site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Sana'a. Though all that remains today is a mound and field of tangled ruins on an elevated area of ancient debris, the ancient site carries a legendary past tied to the Kingdom of Saba and the last Himyarite kings.
You can visit the site opposite the first and second eastern doors of the Great Mosque, extending north of Bab Al-Yemen. While the original palace was a multi-floor, towered high-rise destroyed centuries ago, its historic design served as the original prototype for Sana'a's famous tower-type houses. When you visit, you are standing before a place celebrated in pre-Islamic poetry and historical accounts, once praised for its magnificent facades, alabaster ceilings, rooftop marble fanlights, wind-driven bronze roaring lions, and an ancient clepsydra time-telling device.
Today, the gate known as "Qasr Al-Selah" is said to be the palace tower's last vestige.
What to see at Ghumdan Palace
- Ancient Sabaean fortified palace ruins in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Historic prototype for Sana'a's iconic multi-floor tower houses
- Located opposite the eastern doors of the Great Mosque of Sana'a
- Site features Qasr Al-Selah, considered the last vestige of the palace tower
- Famed in history as one of the world's earliest multi-storey tower skyscrapers
Visiting tips
Look for the Qasr Al-Selah gate nearby, as it is said to be the last remaining vestige of the original palace tower.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Early morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Ghumdan Palace is easy to reach on Sanaa’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Great Mosque of Sana'a and Al Saleh Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Sanaa travel guide.
See the full Sanaa travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.