The city of Shibam is nicknamed the "Manhattan of the desert" because of its impressive mudbrick towers, which can reach up to 30 meters in height and are considered the world's first skyscrapers, dating back to the 16th century.
Shibam is an astonishing city located in the Hadramout valley, in eastern Yemen. At first glance, it looks as if a forest of buildings suddenly rose in the middle of the desert. Its main feature: an incredible density of mud-brick buildings that rise very high, some reaching up to 30 meters, equivalent to about seven or eight stories. Around it, there is nothing but sand and rock. This striking contrast makes Shibam unique in the world, hence the strange feeling of encountering a genuine vertical city suddenly emerging in the heart of the desert.
The brilliant uniqueness of Shibam lies in its buildings being made of rammed earth, a very ancient technique using raw earth, water, and straw, shaped by hand. This results in sturdy, eco-friendly houses, especially well-suited to the hot desert climate. Shibam has about 500 constructions reaching up to 30 meters high, some with up to 8 floors, a true record for this type of traditional material. This unique, tall, and compact style creates the effect of a vertical forest rising from the desert. These rammed earth skyscrapers, built mainly between the 16th and 19th centuries, are considered the oldest of their kind still standing today. The result: an astonishing and highly recognizable skyline.
The nickname "Manhattan of the desert" dates back to the 1930s, when a British explorer named Freya Stark first discovered the city of Shibam in Yemen. Impressed by its tall buildings packed closely together, she naturally made a comparison with the iconic skyscrapers of New York at the time. Western travelers quickly adopted this nickname, fascinated by this vertical city rising in the middle of the desert. Since then, the image of this Yemeni Manhattan has endured, reflecting the unique and spectacular nature of Shibam in the eyes of the world.
At first glance, it is hard to imagine a common point between the ultra-modern island of Manhattan and the small Yemeni town of Shibam, quiet in the middle of the desert! Yet, their urban layouts reveal striking similarities: extreme density combined with true verticality. In Shibam, buildings rise up to eight stories high, constructed on just a few hundred square meters, creating an impression similar to that of the famous New York skyscrapers. The narrow, tight alleys of this ancient city enhance the sense of height, reminiscent of the narrow streets surrounded by towering buildings in Manhattan. This striking contrast, between the surrounding desert environment and the vertical city, partly explains why Shibam has been nicknamed the "Manhattan of the desert."
Shibam is globally recognized for its unique architecture. In 1982, UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List, highlighting the exceptional value of its mudbrick towers and vertical urbanism. This international designation protects the city and draws attention to the urgent need to preserve its incredible rammed earth skyscrapers. Today, Shibam is seen as a true historical treasure, but also as a brilliant example of adaptation to the desert environment. Every year, many curious travelers and passionate architects discover this hidden wonder in the heart of the desert.
Although nicknamed the "Manhattan of the Desert," Shibam today has barely over 7,000 inhabitants spread across approximately 500 buildings, which is a remarkable density for a city so ancient located in the middle of the desert.
Aside from their aesthetic aspect, the buildings of Shibam are also designed to protect the inhabitants from extreme heat, thanks to the ingenious use of adobe, which keeps the interior cool and naturally regulates the temperature.
Shibam was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982 for its exceptional architecture and remarkable climate adaptation to the desert environment.
The skyscrapers of Shibam were primarily built in the 16th and 17th centuries, long before the famous modern buildings of Manhattan in New York.
Yes, the buildings of Shibam are vulnerable to weather damage, flooding, and erosion. Due to their fragile material – rammed earth – they require constant maintenance and regular interventions to ensure their preservation and longevity.
Currently, visiting Shibam can be complex due to the geopolitical context in Yemen. Before planning a visit, it is strongly advised to consult safety recommendations and advisories from official organizations and local authorities.
Shibam was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982 due to its exceptional vertical architecture made of rammed earth and as a remarkable example of sustainable urban planning. It also reflects traditional craftsmanship in the use of local resources and an excellent adaptation to a hostile environment.
The buildings of Shibam are mainly constructed from adobe, a mixture of clayey raw earth mixed with straw, water, and other locally available natural materials, shaped by hand and then sun-dried.
Shibam adopted a vertical architecture primarily for defensive reasons. This compact construction facilitated protection against attacks and also allowed for better management of resources, particularly water and arable land, in a desert environment.
The mud-brick skyscrapers of Shibam mainly date back to the 16th century. They reflect an ancient and ingenious architectural skill that combined verticality and local materials to optimize space and urban defense.
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