In 2022, Seiyun Palace in Hadhramaut, eastern Yemen, suffered severe damage when a large section of its outer wall collapsed, raising widespread concern over the future of the monument, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. The incident prompted the local community and authorities to call for the restoration of Seiyun Palace to preserve its identity and beauty.
In response to a request from the Yemeni government, the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) launched a comprehensive project to restore Seiyun Palace. The restoration project is part of a broader initiative by the SDRPY, which includes 264 developmental projects aimed at preserving Yemeni historical and cultural heritage.
Seiyun Palace, built over an area of about 5,460 square meters using mud bricks as the main material, is one of the largest earthen buildings in the world. Originally constructed as a fortified stronghold to protect the city of Seiyun, the palace later became the official residence and headquarters of the sultans of the Kathiri State who ruled the Hadhramaut Valley. The palace consists of seven floors containing 96 rooms, including 45 large rooms and 14 storerooms, in addition to many other annexes.
A part of the palace is used as an archaeological museum containing artifacts, photographs, and antiquities dating back thousands of years, as well as a public library serving researchers. Seiyun Palace has earned symbolic status, having been chosen to feature on Yemen's national currency in recognition of its historical, cultural, and aesthetic value.
The restoration works included repairing the damaged outer wall and the mudbrick structures that form the core of Seiyun Palace. Special attention was given to rehabilitating the traditional decorations and engravings that adorn the palace's walls and corridors. The restoration focused on restoring the wooden ceilings, doors, and carved windows that reflect the craftsmanship of Yemeni artisans.
"The project protects the palace as a cultural and civilizational center through trained Yemeni hands," said Mohammed Al-Jaber, the Saudi ambassador and supervisor of the Saudi program, according to Al-Khaleej. The restoration project included training local teams of engineers and technicians on periodic restoration works to ensure future maintenance. The palace will now be more ready to receive large numbers of visitors throughout the year.
"In the past years, we always felt worried about the palace during the rainy season," said Hassan, a resident near the palace, according to Al-Madina. "We witnessed the worsening condition of the palace and its gradual deterioration, and we feared the moment of its imminent collapse under the weight of the heavy rains that did not spare it, and the neglect that affected it, in addition to the absence of periodic maintenance works that would have preserved its cohesion and solidity."
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.