Cisterns of Tawila

About this place

The Cisterns of Tawila are a historic site in Aden, designed to collect the rain flowing down from the Shamsan massif through Wadi Tawila and to protect the city from floods. They consist of a series of linked tanks of varying shape and capacity, south-west of Crater, the oldest district of Aden. Their smooth pale walls look striking among the dark volcanic rocks. There were originally about 53 tanks, but only 13 remain after a succession of renovations, including those by the British in the 19th century. The tanks were hewn from the volcanic rock of the wadi and lined with a special stucco containing volcanic ash, which made the walls watertight. The surviving tanks hold about nineteen million gallons between them. You walk on paths and steps between the tanks, with the Coghlan Tank, one of the largest, at the centre, and the large round Playfair Tank at the lowest point outside the main site. Most are usually dry except after rain. The high walls of the wadi surround you, so the place feels shaded and calm compared with the city. It lies in Crater and is easy to reach by taxi from the centre of the district. Take care on the steps and at the railings, above all with children. Early morning is the best time, as the heat in Aden is fierce later on. 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.