A UNESCO World Heritage site, the walled city of Sana’a is notable for its central market, the Souq al-Melh, a highly important historic trading centre. A number of inns supported the business of the market through accommodation and storage. The Samsarat Caravanserai is one of the key architectural monuments of the central souq area, exceptional for its massive scale and refined architectural detail. It has been restored using traditional methods and materials, with a preference for repair over renewal. Stone cut and dressed on site includes salt-resistant black basalt for foundations, pumice-like basalt for walls, arches and lintels, and grey Kharad and creamy white Balaz limestone for decorative banding and patterns.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture