The desert around AlUla is full of jagged, wind-sculpted rock formations and has an almost otherworldly appearance. Amid this spectacular landscape you will find the remains of the second largest city of the Nabatean kingdom: Madain Saleh, or Hegra.
Ask the Saudis about the pearls of their country and many will AlUla and Madain Saleh, or also known as Hegra answer. The two breathtaking highlights in the north of the province are Medina are only twenty kilometers apart as the crow flies and are often mentioned in the same breath.
AlUla was founded by the Dedanites, an ancient Arabian people, and served as the capital of the Dedanite kingdom. The historic and walled settlement was long an important location on the Incense Road, a trade route that connected Jordanian Petra with the Hidjaz, the coastal strip on the southwest side of the peninsula.
The Dedanites were engaged in a long battle with the Nabataeans, who controlled large parts of the Arabian Peninsula and present-day Israel, Jordan and Syria some two thousand years ago. Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabataean kingdom, although the largest, is not the only desert city left behind by the nomadic Nabataeans. They also carved tombs from towering rock formations in the desert of Medina.
When you walk through the gates and take your first look at Hegra's carved creations, the similarities to Petra, six hundred kilometers away, are immediately striking. The tombs have the same shape and color, and are just as monumental. The big difference, however, is that Petra's tombs are hidden in a gorge system, while Hegra's are instead surrounded by a vast void with more animals than people.
Admittedly, the Saudi version is more austere and less impressive than its Jordanian counterpart. But on the other hand, Hegra's 131 rock tombs are generally in better condition. Moreover, Hegra is largely unexplored. Archaeologists are still finding new tombs and tombs. There is a real chance that the most beautiful part is still buried under the sand. The tombs date from the 1st century B.C. to the 1st century A.D. In addition, about 50 inscriptions from the pre-Nabatean period and some cave drawings can be found. With its impressive architecture including monumental tombs and wells, Hegra is an example of extraordinary craftsmanship. The city reached its peak from the late 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century AD.
One of the most impressive and largest structures in Hegra is the Qasr al-Farid, an imposing tomb standing on a rocky hill. The tomb is hewn from a single piece of rock and beautifully decorated with Nabatan reliefs and inscriptions. Try to arrive at sunset, when the mysterious tomb turns pink and gold before darkness falls - breathtaking.
Want to enjoy Nabatean architecture without hordes of tourists? Hegra is the perfect place and one of the absolute natural and cultural highlights of Saudi Arabia!
Vision 2030, the ambitious future plan of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is already reflected in AlUla and Hegra. Hotels and other modern structures are rapidly rising. In addition, large-scale events are being organized. Winter in Tantora, a cultural festival in and around AlUla, is a good example. The annual festival takes place between December and March and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the region in every possible way: from balloon rides to trekking and from historic theater performances to modern pop concerts.
Please inquire about visiting AlUla and Hegra.. AlUla and Hegra welcome you.
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