Harar

Harar

The city of Harar is said to be the fourth "holy city" of Islam’s Hajj pilgrimage. It boasts 82 mosques and 102 sanctuaries, and its architecture and urban planning, deeply influenced by African and Islamic traditions, give it unique World Heritage value. The city, situated on a highland plateau over 1,800 meters above sea level, is surrounded by a fortified wall standing 4 meters high and featuring five gates.

Amid the city’s 362 crisscrossing narrow alleys stand rows of low-rise traditional houses, while dilapidated vintage cars struggle to navigate through these passages. Harar is one of the few well-preserved pre-industrial revolution ancient cities. Every dawn, in this city of 82 mosques, the calls of the muezzins echo through the streets and lanes—earning Harar the title of the “Fourth Holiest City of Islam” is no coincidence.

Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town

Must-visit reason: One of the most renowned pre-industrial revolution ancient cities

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Ethiopia[Ethiopia]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Harari Region [Harari Region]

City where the attraction is located: Harar [Harrar]