The brilliant white brickwork of Sanaa's Great Mosque stands out sharply from the darker, sand-colored architecture of the surrounding city, which thickens on all sides. Built in the 7th century AD, the Great Mosque remains largely true to its original plans.
During a routine renovation in 1972, workers stumbled upon piles of old papers and manuscripts in a long-forgotten attic. Further research revealed that many of these documents date back to the earliest days of Islam and include what is believed to be the oldest copy of the Quran. They are considered the country's greatest Islamic treasures.