Yemen - The Madrasa Amiriya of Rada

The Al-Amiriya Mosque, 1504, is one of the jewels of Tahiride architecture in Yemen. Its restoration is an example for Yemen and neighboring countries. The monument in poor condition until 1978 or several foreign missions began to understand its importance and uniqueness. Because it was first necessary to expropriate and then destroy all the stalls, shops, houses glued to its walls, then start the clearing work. This monument is in the form of a rectangular building of 23 m by 40 m. Composed of two large levels, the Madrasa derives its originality and majesty from the fact that the courtyard and the prayer room are located on the upper floor. The ground floor used as the base of the building is a long central vaulted gallery that will become the historical museum of Madrasa, its history but also that of the city. To the south, a large outdoor pool extends the Madrasa. At the level of the first floor: a forecourt, the inner courtyard in the center, surrounded by porticoes and the prayer hall to the north, which surround three galleries. The prayer hall is covered by six large and tall cupolas.