Amran

Amran is a small city in western central Yemen. It is the capital of the Amran Governorate, and was formerly in the Sana’a Governorate. It is located 52.9 kilometres (32.9 mi) by road northwest of the Yemeni capital of Sana’a at the upper (southern) end of the al-Bawn plain.

Amran has a long history, dating back to the pre-Islamic era.During that period, it was one of the main centers of the Bakil tribal confederation.At the time of the Sabaean kingdom, the town blossomed into a fortress.A series of bronze plaques from that time were found in the town in the mid-nineteenth century and are now in the British Museum.In particular, in the seventh century it was the great city of valour during the clashes against the Sabeans, a plurality of regionally based tribes.Remains of carved stones that belonged to former temples and palaces bear witness today of past glory.A large stone inscription is found in the western city gate (Bab al-Kabir).