Situated at an altitude of 2,200m, the Old City of Sana’a was declared a World Heritage site by the United Nations in 1986. According to UNESCO, Sana’a has been inhabited for more than 2500 years, and in the 7th and 8th centuries the city became a major centre for the propagation of Islam. The Old City of Sana’a transcends its role as a residential area; it’s a living museum, a testament to the artistic prowess and architectural ingenuity of bygone eras.
The Old City is characterised by its rammed earth and burnt brick towers decorated with geometric patterns of fired bricks and white gypsum. It contains more than 100 mosques, 12 hammams and 6,500 houses.These architectural gems, with the city’s captivating landscapes, form the essence of Yemen’s cultural heritage. However, due to the conflict, the World Heritage Committee decided to place the Old City of Sana’a on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2015.
The need for renovation became a pressing issue, a call to action to preserve this irreplaceable heritage site.
Today, efforts are underway to preserve some of the oldest buildings.Y30 has already completed the restoration of several houses damaged by bombings, which have today regained their original splendor ! Most importantly, this restoration work enabled the rehousing of displaced families in safe and healthy conditions.
Renovations are carried out under contract, and supervised by the General Authority for Heritage Preservation based in Sana’a. The project promotes traditional skills and construction techniques by employing qualified and
recognized workers.








Some figures:
- 2019: 2 houses renovated
- 2020: 3 houses renovated
- 2021: 4 houses renovated
- 2022: 2 houses renovated
Total 11 Houses renovated in Sana’a, Yemen