Saudi Arabia – The Forbidden Kingdom

Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. Its name is derived from the plural of the Arabic word “rawdha”, which means “garden”, particularly those formed in the desert after rains. Riyadh is divided into 17 municipalities. Each contributes in its own way to the vibrant nature of the city, which has experienced a comparatively unique history and colorful past. In 1991, it was slightly damaged by Iraqi missile attacks during the Persian Gulf War but returned to normalcy soon after.

The most outstanding aspect of Riyadh is its architecture, which is a vibrant concurrence of the old and the new – contemporary high-rise towers shadow over buildings exuding old world charm. In addition to being the epicentre of power, the city is also a commercial hub.

Al Ula

This is an ancient site that had once been the hub of trade and commerce. The place had been previously known by the name of Dedan but has now acquired the modern name of Al-Ula.It retained its importance as the center of Saudi Arabian Civilization till the 1^st Century B.C. when its position was taken over by the Meda in Saleh. However, the place still retains it historical significance as one of the most ancient sites in the country. The place has several evidences of primeval settlements; there are many inscriptions to be found in Thamudic and Dedanit scripts that tell you a lot about the civilization and culture.

Al-Ula is also spotted with rugged mountains that have beautiful carved tombs. The most famous among these is the Lion Tomb. There are also other ancient structures in this region such as forts, dams and wells. The architecture of these constructions reflects the influence of Greek, Roman and Assyrian style.

Madain Saleh

Far less well known than Jordan’s Petra, the city of Madain Saleh was also built by the ancient Nabataeans, and become their second, southern, capital. A magnificent site with tombs hewn out of rocks, it became Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 but as you might expect receives a fraction of the visitors of Petra.

The site consists of over a hundred tombs, fairly uniform in structure with elaborate facades following a similar pattern of steps at the top rising from a central point.

The Nabataeans began as pastoral nomads, raising their sheep, goats, and camels in the desert as so many other Arabian tribes have done through the millennia. From early in their history, they had connections with Mesopotamia and may have been the Nabatu Arabs mentioned by the Assyrians in the eighth century BCE. Alexander the Great’s officer Hieronymus of Cardia wrote of the Nabataeans as having an ascetic life with harsh laws. They were also known for their incredible familiarity with the desert and their ability to fade into it to evade enemy tribes. Their system of hidden cisterns dug deep in the interior provided water for their livestock and their people.

The real cause of the success of the Nabataeans, however, was control over much of the spice trade. Frankincense, myrrh, and other spices from southern Arabia were brought up to the north along trade routes to be purchased by the Greeks, Romans Egyptians, Phoenicians, and others around the Mediterranean and in the Near East. The Nabataeans built their empire as the middlemen. Madain Saleh was a crossroads where the major north-south incense route intersected a road from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf.

Please note: following the recent initiative to issue tourist visas, the Saudi authorities have implemented a strict policy regarding visits of Madain Saleh. It is no longer possible to explore the site on your own, and instead visitors must join a scheduled bus tour which takes you between the various sites. While this isn’t how we would choose to visit this magnificent site, unfortunately it is not possible to deviate from this.

Abha

Abha’s houses are made of stone and mud, and were built by hand. Some are over 300 years old and still occupied. The insignificant graduation from one layer to the next gives these houses the overall impression of truncated pyramids. Foundations are usually stones. The houses are built in shelf-like, overlapping, vertical rows that act as rain guides, keeping the rain from saturating the walls and washing them away. On every hill stands one of the famous stone watchtowers built over the centuries to monitor the movements of possible invaders.

Abha’s daily market is a busy affair, bustling with activity and people. Locals bargain for fruits, vegetables, coffee beans and other wares. Local handicrafts like ornate silver, Bedouin jewelry and hand woven basketry are specialty items.

Jeddah
Situated on the Red Sea coast, Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s second city and has long been its gateway to the outside world. Originally founded in the 6^th century BC, it rose to prominence during the early years of Islam when it became the principal port of the region, and since then has seen millions of traders and pilgrims using it as a starting point to reach the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. In the 16^th century it was absorbed into the Ottoman Empire, remaining so until the First World War. Today it’s by far the most cosmopolitan city in the kingdom and at first glance seems very much at odds with the strong traditions of Saudi Arabia, but beyond the glitz and glamour of modern development lies the old quarter, a repository for traditional Saudi culture and heritage with many traditional buildings.