Ghumdan Palace

Ghumdan Palace
Location within Yemen
General information
Architectural style	Architecture
Town or city	Sana'a
Country	Yemen
Coordinates	15°21′11″N 44°12′53″E / 15.353115°N 44.214722°E
Completed	Mid third century AD
Design and construction
Architect	El Sharih Yahdhib

Ghumdan Palace, also Qasir Ghumdan or Ghamdan Palace, is an ancient palace and fortress in Sana'a, Yemen. All that remains of the ancient site (Ar. khadd) of Ghumdan is a field of tangled ruins opposite the first and second of the eastern doors of the Jami‘ Mosque (Great Mosque of Sana'a). This part of Sana'a forms an eminence which is known to contain the debris of ancient times. The place is located on the extreme southeastern end of Sana'a's old walled city, al-Qaṣr, just west of where the Great Mosque of Sana'a was later built,^[1][2] and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Sana'a. It is sometimes referred to as Ghumdan Tower.

According to Arab geographer and historian, Al-Hamdani (c. 893-945), the foundation stones of Ghumdan Palace were laid by Shem, the son of Noah,^[3] or by Sha'r Awtar who walled the city of Sana'a.^[4] Others suggest that it may date to pre-Islamic times, constructed by the Sabaeans in the mid 3rd century by the last great Sabaean King El Sharih Yahdhib. Some historians date it to the beginning of the 2nd century or the 1st century.^[5][6] The palace was destroyed by Caliph Uthman, or even earlier, by the Abyssinian conqueror Abrahah Al-Hubashi. Restored several times, the palace history is represented in numerous legends and tales. It is mentioned in many pieces of Arabic poetry, the poets singing about its beauty.^[7] Ghumdan Palace tower, a 20-storey high-rise building, is believed by some to have been the world's earliest skyscraper.^[8]

History

Though the former palace is now in ruins, its style, a towered, multi-floor structure, has provided the prototype for the tower-type houses built in Sana’a. It expressed the "exquisite architecture of the old city".^[6]

The palace was used by the last Himyarite kings, who had ruled Yemen from Ghumdan and was once the residence of Abhalah.^[9] It was reportedly destroyed by Caliph Uthman in the 7th century because he feared it could be used as a stronghold for a rebellion. Some of its materials were re-used to build the Great Mosque.^[1]

The palace was reconstructed some time later but deteriorated over time. The ruins of the palace tower are now in the form of a mound that extends from the east of the Great Mosque to the north of Bab Al-Yemen.

Architecture

Old Sana'a town with tower buildings

The palace tower was built at the top of a hill. Historians such as Al-Hamdani, Mohammed Al-Qazwani and Dr. Adnan Tarsis dispute the height of the original palace. Given its grandeur, its height was exaggerated in historic accounts. Most claims are between six and ten storeys.^[1] In the early 9th century, it was reported to have been "seven storeys tall with the highest room being of polychrome marble, and its roof a single slab of green marble." However, al-Hamdani claims it was 20 storeys high, with each floor being 13 metres (43 ft) in height, perhaps referring to the tower of the palace.

Built over a square layout, the four outer faces of the palace were of marble in white, black, green and red. ^[5] The top floor of the tower contained the Bilqis Hall. This hall was described in the Al-Hamdani books (two volumes, preserved in the British Museum), as featuring a ceiling affixed with an eight-piece transparent marble, or what are known as fanlights. The four openings at the four corners of the hall provided a close view of the moon, worshipped by kings in ancient Yemen.^[7] Bronze lion figures at each corner of the alabaster ceilings were said to make a roaring sound when the wind passed through them. However, the most extraordinary feature of the palace was said to have been the clepsydra, an ancient time-telling device, which was built therein.^[10] A gate, known as the “Qasr Al-Selah”, is said to be the last vestige of the palace tower.

In literature

The palace is mentioned in many pieces of Arabic poetry with poets singing about its beauty.^[11] Legend states that when birds flew over the palace, their shadows could be seen on the ceiling.^[1][5]

Dhu Jadan al-Himyari (fl. 6th - 7th century) wrote:

You have heard of Ghumdan's towers:

From the mountain top it lowers

Well carpentered, with stones for stay,

Plastered with clean, damp, slippery clay;

Oil lamps within it show

At even like the lightening's glow.

This once-new castle is ashes today

The flames have eaten its beauty away.

The poet Adiy b. Zayd al-Hiri wrote:

What is there after San'a in which once lived

Rulers of a kingdom whose gifts were lavish?

Its builder raised it to the flying clouds,

Its lofty chambers gave forth musk.

Protected by mountains against the attacks of enemies,

Its lofty heights unscalable.

Pleasant was the voice of the night-owl there,

Answered at even by a flute player.

Long after its destruction, the 10th century geographer al Hamdani (c. 893-945) quoted verses reflecting the legend of the tower of Ghumdan:^[12][13]

Twenty stories high the palace stood,

Flirting with the stars and the clouds.

If Paradise lies over the skies,

Ghumdan borders on Paradise.

References

1. McLaughlin, Daniel (12 February 2008). Yemen: the Bradt travel guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 86. ISBN 978-1-84162-212-5. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
2. R. Serjeant & R. Lewcock, San'a'; An Arabian Islamic City, London 1983
3. Al-Hamdāni, al-Ḥasan ibn Aḥmad, The Antiquities of South Arabia - The Eighth Book of Al-Iklīl, Oxford University Press 1938, pp. 8-9
4. Aithe, p.30.
5. Aithie, Charles; Aithie, Patricia (2001). Yemen: jewel of Arabia. Stacey International. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-900988-15-5. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
6. Han, Carolyn (2005). From the land of Sheba: Yemení folk tales. Interlink Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-56656-571-4. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
7. Al-Alaya, Zaid (1 October 2005). "The Ancient & Mysterious Palace of Ghamdan". Culture & Society. Yemen Observer.
8. Encyclopedia Americana. Americana Corp. 1966. p. 119. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
9. Bidwell, P.; Serjeant, R.B.; Bidwell, R. L.; Smith, G. Rex (1 January 1994). New Arabian studies. University of Exeter Press. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-85989-408-1. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
10. Al-Hamdāni, al-Ḥasan ibn Aḥmad, The Antiquities of South Arabia - The Eighth Book of Al-Iklīl, Oxford University Press 1938, p. 15
11. "Citadels of High Yemen". CPA Media. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
12. Houtsma, M. Th. (1993). First encyclopaedia of Islam. p. 15. quotes verses on Ghumdan ... which reflect the legends clinging to the castle as a wonder of architecture
13. Grabar, Oleg (1987). The Formation of Islamic Art. Yale University Press. p. 76. Yet there existed a myth of grandiose secular architecture … and its best known example is the fabulous Ghumdan in Yemen.