Gallery
Description
Property Name: Talha Mosque
Inventory No: 967-1-4
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-10-30
Country (State party): Yemen
Province: Sana’a
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 15° 21′ 14.36″ N
44° 12′ 44.94″ E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction: 1620, 1832
Style: Classical Ottoman, Late Ottoman
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Mosque
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The Qubbat Talha is an important example of both classical and late Ottoman architecture in Yemen.
Selection Criteria
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape that illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
v. to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
In 1831-2, the mosque was partly renovated by Imam al-Mahdi ‘Abdullah ibn al-Imam al-Mutawakkil Ahmad as documented by an inscription in the prayer hall. The mosque precinct is organized around an irregularly shaped courtyard and also includes a hospice.
References
Adams, Robert K. The Sana’a Urban Development Society: The Cast of Yemen. In Development and Urban Metamorphosis; Volume 1: Yemen at the Cross-Roads. Evin, Ahmet (ed). Singapore: Concept Media/The Aga Khan Award for Architecture. 1983.
Davidson, Cynthia C. Conservation of Old Sana’a. In Architecture Beyond Architecture. Cynthia C. Davidson, and Ismail Serageldin, eds. : Academy Editions. London. 1995.
Galdieri, Eugenio. “La rénovation du centre historique de Sana’a (Yemen): enjeux, risques, résultats.” Environmental Design: Journal of the Islamic Environmental Design Research Centre 1-2 (1997-98-99): 202-207.
Lewcock, Robert. The Old City of Sana’a. In Development and Urban Metamorphosis; Volume 1: Yemen at the Cross-Roads. Evin, Ahmet (ed). Concept Media/The Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Singapore. 1983.
Smith, Patty. “The Old City of Sana’a.” Environmental Design: Journal of the Islamic Environmental Design Research Centre 2 .1986.
Varanda, Fernando. The Art of Building. In Art of Building in Yemen. Ph.D diss., University of Durham, 1994.
UNESCO World Heritage Web Site: http://whc.unesco.org/
Archnet Web Site: http://archnet.org/