Harar Jugol, the old walled city of Harar, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its unique traditional houses called gaygar, known for their beautiful interiors and vibrant colors. UNESCO also awarded Harar the Cities for Peace Prize for its remarkable efforts in promoting harmony and coexistence.

Inside the old town, visitors can explore private museums like the collection of Abdulaziz Sherif, displayed in one of Harar’s most beautiful houses. The Arthur Rimbaud House, where the famous French poet is believed to have lived, now serves as a museum dedicated to his time in Harar.

The people of Harar proudly call themselves Gey Usu (“city people”) and speak their own Semitic language, Gey Sinan (“city language”). Harar’s coffee is among the oldest still produced today, adding to the city’s unique cultural legacy.

A highlight for visitors is the feeding of wild hyenas, a centuries-old ritual linked to the Ashura festival. Locals leave bowls of porridge for the hyenas, and the city’s luck for the coming year is predicted by how much they eat.

Harar is home to over 400 Islamic shrines, with the domed Awach of Amir Nur, the 16th-century ruler who built the city walls, being the most significant. The Al-Jami Mosque, dating back to the 10th century with a minaret from the 1760s, remains a spiritual centerpiece of the old town.

Harar Jugol is truly a living museum — a city of history, peace, and timeless tradition.