Dictionary of Islamic Architecture   Hadramawt A large wadi in Yemen with distinctive mud-brick architecture. It runs from west to east and meets the Indian Ocean at Qishn. Definition The wadi is exceptionally fertile and has been settled since ancient times. The tall mud-brick tower houses, which from a distance resemble skyscrapers are the most characteristic feature of the architecture. The form of these houses is probably derived from the stone-built tower houses of the highlands adapted into a mud-brick form for the plains at the bottom of the wadi. The best example of this architecture is the city of Shibam which has houses over eight storeys high. The exceptional height of the... [more] See also Yemen Further Reading J. F. Breton, L. Badre, R. Audouin and J. Seigne, 'Le Wadi Hadramout', Prospections, 1978-9. R. Lewcock, Wadi Hadramawt and the Walled City of Shibam, UNESCO. Paris 1986. M. Raemakers. Towns and architecture in the Hadramaut', Journal of the Royal Central Asian Society (London) 40:246 ff., 1953. Related ArchNet Materials   Site Great Mosque of Shibam Publication Shibam and the Wadi Hadramaut Images IGV0060 View of Shibam from the Wadi IGV0061 View of Shibam from the Wadi IGV1271 View to Shibam from the other side... IGV0069 Narrow street and crumbling buildings Search Alphabetically A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Legal Notes Contact ArchNet