At 2400m above sea level, Al-Tawila, a small town in the Al-Mahweet Governate, lays 72km west of Sana’a. It was built on the south side of the mountain ridge called Al-Qarani. Majestic boulders frame the houses there, and the town is squeezed between a road and a wall of mountains. Al-Tawila earned its name from this feature. It overlooks Mahweet city to the West and the Haraz and Al-Haimatain mountains to the South. It flourished during the heydays of agriculture and coffee trade, but now is famous for the beautiful view it offers.

2100m above sea level, the town of Mahweet lies on the western foothills of Billad Ghil Mountains, about 110km west of Sana’a. Like Al-Tawila, it thrived in the days of the coffee tree, and during the 15th and 18th centuries became a center of coffee collection, which was then sent for export to various seaports. It was also an importantadministrative center during the early Ottoman rule of Yemen (1538-1635 A.D.).

Forts or Castles of the Region

Its highest fort; if not the most important of Yemeni historical forts; is the "Yafouz" fort, which some people call "Al-Tawila Fort". It is the leading fort in the region, with height reaching 3,100 meters. In the castle, there are grain storage pits, which could store up to half a million Yemeni bushels of grain. Spread throughout the castle are many stores and water reservoirs etched out of the rock it self.
In the area surrounding the fortress there are caves and mountain openings, modern installations such as barracks and openings for artillery. The climber will also enjoy the sight of the arches/ bridges and the small terraces, which are filled with cultivation's of perfumery bushes. Visitors will be fascinated by the small frozen pools which are formed from water springing from the mountainside.
Besides "Yafuz" Fort, which is the largest of Al-Tawila's castles, are other forts spread out throughout the area, such as: Al-Qarqnia'a Shamsan, Hajar al-Sayid, Al-Jahily (Wishrobob) al-Muhayyir, and Bani Al-Musirry.
Munief Al-Urquob, where all visitors can get a breathtaking view; from its height; of all the locations that are on its four direction- the near and the distant ones. Wherever one goes, the view of this fort does not leave your sight, whether you were in Hufash, Milhan, Al-Khamis Kawkaban or Al-Tawila. Indeed, it is a park which deserves to be visited, and where pictures of postcard beauty can be taken. The road to Muneif Al-Urquob is paved but not asphalted. Yet, all the visitors love making the climb to the fort. The most important landmark is the Palace of Ahmed Hubaish, which only the eagles manage to reach its higher floor, or, ceilings, and they are visible lurking on them.