Wonder City of the East

Shibam, the Old Walled City of Hadhramaut, stands as a unique architectural marvel characterized by its dense cluster of 500 multi-story mud-brick skyscrapers, forming an impregnable urban fortress without traditional defensive walls. These structures, leaning inward for structural stability, create a seamless barrier with high-set windows that deter assaults while providing defensive advantages. The city's design, resembling a colossal block of flats, reflects medieval siege-resistant engineering, offering insights into pre-modern urban planning and fortification strategies in arid regions.

(Ed.). (2013). WONDER CITY OF THE EAST. Quest for Sheba, 140–156. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203039939-17