Baraqish

Baraqish was Yathill, a city of the Minaean kingdom that controlled part of the incense route north through Yemen, and its oval wall of dressed stone survives to a remarkable height with towers around the circuit, standing on a mound above the plain with the interior largely unexcavated beneath the rubble. Inscriptions in South Arabian script run along the courses. It is one of the most complete ancient walled circuits in Arabia.

What you actually see

• The oval wall - dressed stone standing high with towers around the circuit.
• The South Arabian inscriptions - texts carved along the wall courses.
• The mound - the accumulated city rising above the surrounding plain.
• The Minaean history - a city of the kingdom that worked the incense route.

When to go

October to March is the cool season. Summer is extremely hot with no shade. Site access depends on conditions and should be checked.

Honest expectations

The site has suffered damage and access has been uncertain in recent years. The interior is unexcavated rubble. Access to mainland Yemen requires arrangements made well in advance.

Nearby

Marib is south, and Sana'a is southwest.