Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
A meeting was held today, chaired by the First Undersecretary of Taiz Governorate, Abdulqawi Al-Mikhlafi, to discuss the plan for the rehabilitation and reopening of the historic Al-Qahira Citadel as a tourist and recreational outlet for the governorate’s residents and visitors, in implementation of the governor’s directives.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Military Intelligence, Brigadier Abdo Al-Buhairi, the Director-General of the Antiquities and Museums Authority branch, Mahboub Al-Jaradi, and the Director-General of the Public Works Office, Engineer Abdulhakim Al-Shamairi.
During the meeting, Al-Mikhlafi stressed the importance of preserving the historical and archaeological landmarks in the governorate, and the necessity of rehabilitating the ancient forts and citadels, especially Al-Qahira Citadel, and officially reopening it to be a tourist and historical destination that solidifies the governorate’s cultural identity.
The rehabilitation plan included removing any unauthorized or random construction in front of the citadel, and rehabilitating its facilities and public services, including the swimming pool, restrooms, maintenance, administrative, and security services, in addition to preparations for receiving visitors in coordination with relevant authorities.
In a separate meeting with the directors of the Al-Qahira and Al-Muzaffar districts, the Director of the Public Works Office and its branch directors, and the Director of Market Management, Undersecretary Al-Mikhlafi discussed an urgent plan to remove random encroachments on the border streets between the two districts. This plan aims to ensure the aesthetic appearance of the city, organize markets, alleviate traffic congestion, and facilitate the movement of citizens and vehicles.
Al-Mikhlafi emphasized the importance of joint coordination between the districts, relevant authorities, and the Traffic Police Department to ensure the successful implementation of the plan, stressing that the rehabilitation of Al-Qahira Citadel will be a tourist attraction point and will enhance the cultural and historical identity of Taiz.
About Al-Qahira Citadel
Al-Qahira Citadel is located on the summit of Mount Al-Qahira overlooking the city of Taiz and is considered one of the most prominent historical citadels in Yemen. The citadel was built in the 16th century AD, and its importance spanned across centuries as a strategic military site and a defensive fortress protecting the city from invaders and adventurers.
The citadel is distinguished by its high location and comprehensive view of Taiz, with sturdy stone walls and watchtowers surrounding the site. It includes halls, stone corridors, narrow passages, and facilities that were used for storage and military accommodation, making it a model of historical defensive architecture in Yemen.
Al-Qahira Citadel is considered a symbol of the historical and cultural identity of Taiz city and a destination for researchers of Yemeni history and archaeological landmarks. The citadel also offers a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding valleys, making it an attractive site for domestic and international tourism.
The citadel includes many towers, passageways, and stone arches, in addition to the remnants of facilities that served the military and visitors. Currently, the authorities are working to rehabilitate these facilities, including the swimming pools, restrooms, and basic services, to make the citadel a modern tourist destination while preserving its historical character.
Throughout history, Al-Qahira Citadel has been associated with numerous popular stories and tales of heroism and battles witnessed by the city, making it a vital element in the memory of local residents and a reference for researchers and those interested in Yemeni heritage.
