Ma'rib

Marib is the capital of Ma'rib Governorate in north-central Yemen, roughly 173 km east of Sana'a. Set between the desert and the foothills of the eastern highlands, it was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Saba and is now a fast-growing administrative, economic and humanitarian centre.

The city is most famous as the heart of ancient Saba, the kingdom associated with the Queen of Sheba. The Great Marib Dam, one of the ancient world's most ambitious irrigation works, once watered a fertile oasis and remains a defining symbol of the region's engineering heritage. Nearby temples dedicated to the moon god Almaqah, including the Awam Temple and the Bar'an Temple, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib.

Visitors with archaeological or historical interests come to see the remains of the old dam, the temple precincts and the ancient city ruins, while the wider governorate contains sites such as Sirwah, about 40 km to the west. The modern city itself is more functional than touristic, with busy markets, small hotels, cafés and mosques serving a population that has expanded sharply since 2015.

Marib is central to Yemen's oil and gas industry, with the Safer fields, refinery and power station nearby, and it sits on important road routes linking Sana'a with eastern governorates. It is also a base for government administration, security forces and humanitarian organisations working with the large displaced population.

Because the area remains affected by armed conflict, travel requires careful planning, local contacts and up-to-date security advice. For researchers, humanitarian workers and business travellers, however, Marib offers a rare window onto both an ancient civilisation and a resilient modern Yemeni city.