The white towers
Floors and rows of windows.
Dan from Brussels, Europe — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dan from Brussels, Europe — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dan from Brussels, Europe — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dan from Brussels, Europe — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dan from Brussels, Europe — CC BY-SA 2.0
Al-Kathiri Palace, also known as Seiyun Palace, is a huge white palace of the Kathiri sultan in the city of Seiyun in Wadi Hadhramaut. It was built in the 1920s with mud and stone. It looks over the city's marketplace and is the main sight in town. Its white floors and towers give it the look of a giant cake against the dark cliffs. Seiyun lies in the middle of Wadi Hadhramaut and was first mentioned in the early 4th century. A story says its name came from a woman who ran a cafe where travellers rested. Shibam is about 12 km away by road and Tarim about 35 km, so it makes a good base for the valley. The palace is said to have been the seat of the Kathiri sultan and later became a museum. From outside you see round towers, rows of windows and arcaded bases, all painted white. Inside, halls show pieces from the history of Hadhramaut, and from the carved wooden windows above you look out on a minaret, palms and the valley cliffs. The building looks its best in morning light or lit up at night. It is about 16 km in a straight line from Shibam and about 26 km from Tarim. The market lies beside it, so combine them on foot. We found no confirmed hours. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen and tells anyone there to leave, so check official guidance before making any plans.
Floors and rows of windows.
Views over the valley.
Right by the palace.
Central Seiyun, Wadi Hadhramaut, Yemen
It is said to have become one, but we could not confirm its current hours, so ask at the entrance.
Yes, it lies between Shibam and Tarim and has an airport, but check the state of flights.