Sirwah

Sirwah, located 40 km west of Ma'rib in the Arabian Peninsula, was a significant city in the Kingdom of Saba, second only to Ma'rib in economic and political importance during the early 1st century BCE. The city was fortified with walls and contained several large buildings, including temples dedicated to the deity Almaqah. Notably, King Yada'il Dharih I commissioned a temple around 700 BCE. The city's strategic mountain location offered protection but hindered further development, eventually ceding its capital status to Ma'rib. Excavations have uncovered important inscriptions detailing Sabaean military campaigns and a unique temple with a monumental entrance. Sirwah's archaeological significance is underscored by its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.