[10/October/2004] Yemen has got large number of archeological sites on top of which the ruins of ancient cities. Baraqish is one of the most famous ancient city in the northern part of Yemen.

Located in the semi-arid area on the road to Hazm Al-Jawf some 125 km from Sana'a.It stands on top of a lofty hill with a magnificent castle sealed off by a highly fortified wall, some parts are still seen in good condition. The wall has 57 towers.

Baraqish was the old capital of the Ma'een state , then it had become a religious
center after the Ma'eenis had shifted their political capital to Qarnau. The Old scriptures stated that Baraquish's wall had been rebuilt in 450BC by the Sabeans.

The most striking feature of the city is the ruins of the temple, located in the southern part of the city. The temple reflects the dominant form of architecture used by the Ma'eenis and consists of 16 columns and beams..

Archeologists believe that this was the Athter Temple, the Morning Star or Venus, Goddess of love. There is another temple in the center of the city but only 4 columns can be seen.
Many inscriptions can be found on the city wall's faced. The city was inhabited unit the1960s.
There are further historical sites dating back to the Ma'een dynasty in Majzer district not far from Baraqish: to the west Ahqaf and Duroub Al-Sabi and, to the east, the site of Kharbat Al-Lisan..

From a point on the northern side of Balaq Mountain, overlooking Wadi Dhanah, one can see the two gates of the Great Dam, the lake of the new dam and the ruins of the old canals.

Far a way, one can see the Dhanah Valley Delta or Valley of Sheba', historically Known as the Land of two Heavens'. The road stretches to the Balaq mountain passing by the northern
gate of the Great Dam.