Documenting Change: The Architectural Heritage of Mocha and Loheia (Yemen)

In the 1990s, a Mission of the Orientale University of Naples carried out some surveys along the Yemeni Red Sea coast. Among the others, the port cities of Mocha and Loheia, located to the south and to the north, respectively, were visited. Mocha, renowned as a major trading port since the 17th century and the namesake of the famous coffee blend "mokha," began to experience structural decline in the early 19th century. In contrast, Loheia, although lacking formal fortifications, was recognized by traveler C. Niebuhr in 1762 as the most significant port in Arabia Felix.The Mission documented several buildings in both Mocha and Loheia through photographs and drawings. By leveraging these visual materials and the collected bibliography, this intervention provides valuable insights into the development and transformations of the two cities. It examines modifications made to buildings over time, attempts at reuse that altered their original appearance, restorations, and the introduction of new construction materials. Additionally, the study highlights the uniqueness of earlier building techniques, showcasing a diverse array of construction materials, including bricks, stone, white coral, and madreporas.This work provides an important contribution that not only deepens our knowledge of Mocha and Loheia, but also extends our information about a culturally rich region that has encountered and continues to confront significant challenges.