The Rub'al Khali desert which is one of the largest sand deserts
in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the
Arabian Peninsula, including southern Saudi Arabia, and areas of
Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The desert covers some
650,000 square kilometers (250,000 square miles). It is one of
the most inhospitable places on earth, and entirely
uninhabitable. Largely unexplored until recently, the desert is
one thousand kilometers (600 miles) long, and 500 km (300 mi)
wide. Even the Bedouins only skirt the edges of the desert.
Dusty, diminutive and decaying, Ma'rib is
modest almost to a fault. It's hard to believe it was ever the site
of a great civilization. But take a tour of the attractions around
the town and you'll soon regret judging by appearances. Note that
because of tribal tension currently in the area, tourists are given
a compulsory police escort while traveling to, around and in the
town of Ma'rib. After sunset, a curfew comes into
force: you're obliged to remain in your hotel until sunrise.
Ma'rib lying 214km due east of Sana'a, is Yemen's most
ancient City. The former capital of the powerful Sabaean empire, it
makes up part of the largest archaeological site in the southern
part of the Arabian Peninsula and has been called the region's
cradle of civilization'.
Caravans would stop
here after crossing the Wadi Hadramout from the
port of Qana on the Arabian Sea
, and the city soon came to control the ancient incense routes.
Inscriptions indicate that the city dates from at least the
8th century BC, thought it may have been founded even earlier.
Balquis
palace , Sun and moon temples
Where you can enjoy watching the great thrown
that was built specifically to her honor. Also visitors can have a
look at the temples, where the old Yemeni people used to worship
their sun and moon gods as well as where the oldest discovering
peaces was found from the 11th century B.C. It was named as Baran
Temple , by the name of the king Al Raish Baran Dhaw Raish, 1200
B.C. in the time Muses prophet.
This is an existing touristic road located
between Marib and Shabwa at the outskirts of Saihad Deset which is
known today as Rmlat al-Saba'atain. Across the high sand dunes you
will have hours of pleasure and amusement starting at the sunrise.
The head of the mid-day maybe moderated by a cup of tea served to
the comers, in a friendly and a hospitable way under the shade of a
hair-woven tent in one of the Bedouin Camps.
AwanmTemple
It's located 4 km to the southeastern of Mairb
village. It is a temple for the God, Almaqah, and God of Moon. The
Ancient Yemenis devoted themselves to worship Sun, Moon, and Morning
Star. This temple is believed to be the main temple in Marib. It is
oval in shape. It is most likely that it was not roofed. The main
entrance is located in the north side’ opposite to the door there is
a parlor with side columns, ten meters away from the entrance, eight
big columns erected in one line. There is also a small stone
structure with four columns, which is believed to have been built
over the tombs on the eastern side.
