Walled City of Shibam, Yemen.

  This rectangular walled city dates to back the 16th Century, one of the oldest and most impressive examples of vertical urban planning. Found on the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, this town with sun-dried mud brick tower houses, some reaching eight storeys high, has its history entwined with travelling caravans seeking frankincense and … More Walled City of Shibam, Yemen.

The Mihrāb or Prayer-niche

Titus Burckhardt describes the mihrāb as ‘indisputably a creation of sacred art’, an area in every masjid which indicates the qibla, or direction of the Kāba in Makkah. Art historians believe this element was introduced into masjid architecture during the Umayyad caliph al-Walīd, it’s probable the design replaced a simplified door form, indicating the direction of … More The Mihrāb or Prayer-niche