Saudi Arabia has a rich cultural heritage that intrigues history admirers. Many heritage destinations in the region are universally acknowledged and have significant historical and cultural value. Therefore, exploring all these must-visit heritage sites is essential to experience Saudi Arabia’s rich culture.
Even though Saudi Arabia is majorly associated with Islamic history, this is not it. The Kingdom has quite an exciting history and culture as an Arab peninsula. This region has numerous heritage sites, including ancient rock formations, ruins of fortresses and palaces, and remnants of old civilisations.
So, if you booked your Umrah package UK, you will travel to one of the most culturally and historically rich countries. Therefore, try to explore it perfectly to learn more about the history of this Arabic Kingdom.
Must-Visit Heritage Sites
Here are some of the heritage sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia you must explore during your journey.
1. Madain Saleh
Madain Saleh is the first heritage site of Saudi Arabia that made the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This site is the ideal reflection of the architectural skillfulness of the Nabataean civilisation. It consists of 111 tomb facades with intricate details reflecting the expertise of the past people. 94 out of these 111 tombs are decorated and embellished.
Moreover, this heritage also features cave art and over 50 pre-Nabataean inscriptions. Madain Saleh also has some exceptional wells that display the hydraulic expertise of the Nabataean people too. You must take advantage of this site if you are in the Kingdom.
2. Jubbah Hail
Jubbah Hail is another significant heritage site in Saudi Arabia. It is located in the Nafud desert on a historic caravan route. This heritage site features rock inscriptions and sculptures from the Mesolithic period. Various rock sculptures in Jubbah Hail feature monkeys, birds, headgear, gazelles, and two animals hauling wheeled carts. It is indeed one of the most ancient and well-preserved monuments in KSA.
Moreover, tourists love to visit this heritage site because of its stunning location and gorgeous monuments. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site which makes it a lot more interesting for all the tourists. So, once you are in the country, you should see this must-visit heritage site to learn about the history and culture of the region.
3. At-Turaif District
At-Turaif district is the perfect representation of Najd’s architectural expertise and style. This architectural style is not very common in the central Arab peninsula, which makes it unique. As it was initially built in the 15th century, the heritage site currently consists of ruins of palaces located at the edge of Al-Diriyah Oasis.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the At-Turaif district also served as the religious and political hub of the region. There has yet to be any modern development in this district due to apparent abandonment from the authorities. This is why it is a lot more intriguing for the tourists. You can see the ruins of this district in their most original form.
4. Mount Uhud
Mount Uhud is quite a significant site in Islamic history. This was the place of one of the earliest battles in Islam, led by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Muslims fought this war against the Arab pagans for Islam. The mountain is a religious, historic site with exceptional serenity and spirituality. Moreover, the site is also unmatched in its visual gloriousness.
Therefore, Muslims and non-Muslim tourists visit this region to study the historical event more closely. Mount Uhud is also quite close to the hearts of Muslims, so many pilgrims try to see it. Mount Uhud is undoubtedly one of the must-visit heritage sites in the region.
5. Al Balad
If you are in Jeddah and want insight into historic Jeddah and its past culture, visit the Al Balad district. The houses and buildings of this district have a unique architectural style because the city’s merchants built them in the 19th century. The tourists now get intrigued by this multicultural spot.
Al Balad district also served as the main port for importing products worldwide and supplied them to the holy city of Makkah. In addition, this was also the port from where pilgrims travelling by sea entered Makkah. Therefore, we must acknowledge this district’s historical importance and cultural significance.
6. Ushaiqer Heritage Village
Ushaiqer Heritage Village is another source of insight into the past of Saudi Arabia. It offers a glimpse into when life was not as fast as it is now in the Kingdom. Bedouins inhabited this village around 1500 years ago. This village consists of winding alleyways and timbre-framed walkways. There are hundreds of mud and wooden houses consisting of thick walls in between these hallways.
The houses of Ushaiqer Heritage Village perfectly reflect the Najdi architectural style. They have finely carved wooden doors and triangular windows. This village was a popular resting spot for the people travelling to Makkah because of its freshwater springs and low-brimmed olive and palm orchards.
7. Hima Cultural Area
Hima cultural area is another heritage site in Saudi Arabia with much to explore. It is located in Najran and features an extensive rock art collection. This rock art represents the hunting techniques, flora and fauna, and people’s lifestyles from almost 7000 years ago.
Moreover, the 3000 years old wells of Bi’rim in this area still produce fresh water. The rock inscriptions are also in good condition, which fascinated the tourists. So, once you are in the Kingdom, make sure you visit Hima cultural area once to experience the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Have you just availed of Hajj packages from the UK? If so, you might be travelling to the Kingdom soon. Many people are excited about the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia due to various reasons.
It has been a site of multiple historical events, and many ancient civilisations inhabited this region. Therefore, we can trace various remnants of history and ancient culture in different cities of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, once in the country, you should explore some must-visit heritage sites.
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