Harar

Harar is a walled city.

It sits in eastern Ethiopia. The city is on a hill.

It is a very old place. Long ago, it was a center for trade. People came from many lands to buy things. This helped the city grow.

Harar has many holy places. It has 82 mosques. It also has 102 shrines. Many people find it very special.

The city has old stone homes.

You can see them in the streets. These homes are part of its history.

It is a famous place to visit. You can see the big walls. The city is a treasure for the world.

Harar is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia.

It sits on a hilltop. The city is the capital of the Harari Region. For a long time, Harar was a center for trade.

Traders used routes to reach Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. This helped the city grow very large.

Harar is a very holy place for Islam. It has 82 mosques. Some of these mosques are from the 10th century. There are also 102 shrines. Because it is so special, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. This means the whole world helps protect its history.

The old part of the city is called Harar Jugol.

It has many stone homes. The government makes it a crime to break these old buildings. People can still see beautiful carved doors.

You can also see the city from its high walls. These walls were built a long time ago to keep the city safe.

Harar is a famous walled city in eastern Ethiopia.

It sits high on a hilltop in the Harari Region. The city is located a long way from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. For many centuries, Harar was a very important place for trade.

It used special paths to connect Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula and Asia. These routes helped the city reach the whole wide world through its ports. Because it is so special, UNESCO named the old walled city a World Heritage Site in 2006.

Harar is a very holy place for people who follow Islam. It is often called the fourth holiest city of Islam.

The city contains 82 mosques and 102 shrines. Some of these mosques are very old and date back to the 10th century. The old part of the city is called Harar Jugol.

In this area, you can find many beautiful stone homes. The Ethiopian government even made it a crime to break or change these historical buildings.

Many different people lived in this area a long time ago. Some say the city was founded by people from the Qurayshi group.

Others believe the Harla people lived there first. A famous story says a saint named Abadir Umar ar-Rida founded the city. He arrived from the Arabian Peninsula around the year 1216. He was joined by 405 other religious leaders to settle on the plateau. These leaders helped shape the culture of the city for many years.

History shows that Harar has had many different rulers. In 1520, it became the capital of the Adal Sultanate.

Later, a group called the Emirate of Harar began to rule. This dynasty started when a man named Ali ibn Da'ud took the throne. The city also began to make its own coins to use for money.

These coins were very important for the growing markets. Even during hard times, the city kept its special culture alive.

Today, you can still see the history of Harar in its streets.

You might see traditional houses with lovely carved doors.

Inside these homes, there are often special niches in the walls. The city remains a place where the past and present meet. Visitors can explore the old markets and see how people live. It is a place that shows how trade and religion can build a great city.

Harar is a historic walled city located in eastern Ethiopia. It serves as the capital of the Harari Region. The city sits upon a hilltop in the eastern part of the country. It is situated at an elevation of 1,483 meters. Harar is located a significant distance from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. For many centuries, Harar acted as a major commercial center. It linked trade routes between Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. These routes also connected the city to the Arabian Peninsula and Asia. Through various ports, Harar reached the wider world.

The old walled part of the city is called Harar Jugol. In 2006, UNESCO listed Harar Jugol as a World Heritage Site. This designation recognizes its immense cultural heritage. Because of its history with Arabian Peninsula trade, the city is strictly protected. The Ethiopian government made it a criminal offense to demolish historical sites. This protection includes stone homes, museums, and items from past wars.

Visitors can still see traditional Harari houses with carved doors.

The interiors often feature unique wall niches.

Harar is a deeply significant religious center for Islam. It is considered the fourth holiest city in the Islamic faith. The city contains 82 mosques and 102 shrines. Three of these mosques date back to the 10th century.

Historical texts like the Fatḥ Madīnat Harar describe the city's religious origins. This unpublished 13th-century history mentions the legendary saint Abadir Umar ar-Rida. He and several other religious leaders settled on the Harar plateau around 1216 CE. This settlement helped establish the region as a center for Islamic faith and learning.

The exact origins of Harar remain a subject of debate. Some suggest Qurayshi settlers founded the city in the late 7th century. Others believe it was a local creation in the 10th century. Archaeologist Timothy Insoll suggests the name might come from the Harla. The Harla were an ancient group living there before the Oromo people arrived. The explorer Richard Francis Burton suggested different origins. He thought the name might refer to a nearby plain or a specific tree.

Harar has experienced many different political eras. In 1520, Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad made it the capital of the Adal Sultanate. This period saw significant conflict and change. After the defeat of Imam Ahmad in 1543, the region faced instability. During the era of the Oromo, the city faced many challenges. The ruler Nur ibn Mujahid built a large wall to protect the city.

This wall acted as a bulwark against the Oromo. The city also suffered from severe famines and plagues during this time. These hardships caused the price of food and livestock to rise greatly. For example, a cow cost over 300 ashrafis during a famine.

The Emirate of Harar began when `Ali ibn Da'ud took the throne. His dynasty ruled the city for two centuries. The Emirate saw the city develop into a major economic force. The Oromo people eventually adopted agriculture and traded with Harar residents.

Harar even began to mint its own currency. The earliest coins were issued definitely by 1789 CE.

This economic strength allowed Harar to influence regions from Shewa to Zeila. The city became a vital hub for religious proselytization to surrounding tribes.

Today, Harar remains a place where history and culture intersect. The city's identity is tied to its role as an urban center. In Arabic, the term "hadhariy" refers to urban inhabitants and their settlements. This term was often used by outsiders to describe Harar's residents. The city's architecture and layout reflect its long history of trade and religion. From its hilltop location to its protected stone houses, Harar stands as a testament to Ethiopian history.