Tarim

Tarim has been a centre of Islamic learning for a very long time and is said to hold more mosques than any other town of its size, along with the Al-Ahgaff library and its collection of manuscripts. The minaret of the Al-Mihdhar mosque rises about 53 metres in mud brick, completed in 1914 and the tallest minaret in Yemen. Palaces built by Hadhrami families who made fortunes in Southeast Asia stand around the town in a startling mix of styles.

Highlights

• The Al-Mihdhar minaret - about 53 metres of mud brick, the tallest in Yemen.
• The palaces - the houses built with fortunes made in Southeast Asia.
• The Al-Ahgaff library - the manuscript collection the town is known for.
• The mosques - the density that gives the town its scholarly reputation.

When to go

October to March is the cool season. Summer in the wadi is extremely hot. Visits to the palaces must be arranged.

Before you go

Non-Muslims are generally not admitted to the mosques. Palace interiors need arranging and several are in poor repair. Access to mainland Yemen requires arrangements made well in advance.

Nearby

Seiyun is west, and Shibam is beyond it.

Key facts