T e lion tombs at Al Khuraiba were carved in the sixth century BCE by the Lihyanites. Settlement in
this area dates back 2,600 years to the Kingdom of Dedan, which had its home in the oasis settlement
SIGHTS AND INTERESTS Al Ula (Old City) Situated 300 kilometres north of Madinah, this old city bears rare examples of early Islamic architecture, much of which dates from between the seventh to the 11th
some of the oldest archaeological sites in the kingdom. The original Old City was built
using stone from the nearby Al Khuraiba ruins and altars and Lihyanite-inscribed stones can still be viewed among the houses. A unique feature of the enclave is the way houses have been lined up side by side to form an outer enclosure wall protecting the city from attack. Al Ula is also a base from which to explore the many historic sites in the countryside around the city.
Full-day city tour Saturday to Thursday 10am to 3pm Take a tour guide
Mada’in Saleh A pre-Islamic site situated 22 kilometres from Al Ula, Mada’in Saleh was an ancient Nabatean city and was the fi rst Saudi Arabian site to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It has inscriptions that date back to 2000BCE and pinpoints the area where the Nabateans settled after originally residing in Jordan’s Petra. It has much in common with its more famous neighbour, with the tombs and burial sites showcasing the geometric patterns and symmetry favoured by Nabatean sculptors. Some of the inscriptions throughout the ancient city are 4,000 years old. Of the 131 tombs, 35 date back
to around 75CE, the time of the three Nabatean kings Malichos II, Aretas IV and Rabal II. Most other architectural elements in Mada’in Saleh are from the fi rst millennium BCE, in the time of the Lihvan and Thamudi civilisations.
History buffs and those curious about other cultures
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Best to arrive early Pack some food
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centuries and is surrounded by
Al Khuraiba A treasury of archaeological sites, Al Khuraiba boasts altars, statues and inscriptions from the Kingdom of Lihyan, which dominated the area between the sixth and second centuries BCE. The whole area is full of carved sandstone, including a basin that was part of a Lihyanite temple. The most famous feature of the area is the Al Usud tomb, which has two lions carved into its sides.
Part of full-day Al Ula city tour Best visited in the morning Take a tour guide
Al Mabiyat Dating back to the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, Al Mabiyat is the site of what is thought to be a large Islamic city that was unearthed in excavations carried out between 1948 an 1985. Excavations show a layout of what was a complex society, with large homes within the city wall and work areas for artisans and craftsmen outside.
Part of full-day Al Ula city tour Morning before the midday heat Take a tour guide
Natural attractions Nestled 700 metres above the city in the Al Harra mountains, the King Abdulaziz National Park offers a birds'-eye view of Mada’in Saleh and Al Ula. Situated within two parallel chains of high rocky peaks that are separated by a narrow canyon is Mount Ithlib, which is part of the range that the Nabateans historically used to carry out their rituals. Elephant Rock, a site of natural
beauty, sits fi ve kilometres away to the south. For thousands of years, sandstorms have carved this towering monolith from the soft, red sandstone of the area.
Part of full-day Al Ula city
tour or overnight camping, provided it is not under the rock Take a guide
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SAKHR ABDULLAH
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