AlUla Old Town: A Remarkable Example of Arabian Heritage

Hidden away in a fertile valley in northwest Saudi Arabia is a true gem of Arabian heritage; AlUla Old Town. This historical site recently opened up to tourism and I visited the area in December 2022. It is a stunning place that has to be seen to be believed. The images in this article are from my recent visit.

A New Destination for Heritage and Nature Tourism

Located at the crossroads of ancient civilisations and trading routes, the AlUla region has a depth of history including rock-carved tombs, vast palm tree oases, and landscapes similar to the better-known Petra archaeological site in Jordan and its neighbouring Wadi Rum desert. AlUla Old Town is one of the many sites to see in the area.

While AlUla is currently largely off the global tourism map, things are likely to change as Saudi Arabia moves to restore and develop the area, in preparation for a significant influx of tourism. The Royal Commission for AlUla is the government body responsible for regenerating the area and transforming it into a global tourism destination capable of welcoming 2 million visitors per year by 2035.

Tangible progress is being made and the area is receiving increasing international attention and recognition. In January 2023, Condé Nast?Traveler selected AlUla as one of its Seven Wonders of the World for 2023, a list of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet.

AlUla Old Town

At the heart of AlUla is the Old Town. This stone and?#mudbrick?town was built in the 12th century and was inhabited all the way up until the early 1980s! It is one of the most impressive sites to visit in the AlUla region. It is 1 kilometre north of AlUla’s new town and just a few steps away from AlJadidah, a newly renovated restaurant and shopping district where much of AlUla’s night time?#entertainment?is.

Built with?#mud?and stone, the Old Town is a dense maze that was home to around 900 houses, 500 shops and 5 town squares. It is full of narrow alleys and the houses are attached to one another; a design intended to form a natural barrier to protect against outside invaders.

AlUla Castle

On the eastern side of the town is AlUla Castle (also known as Mousa Bin Nusair Fort), which was built upon a large rock outcrop and overlooks the town and surrounding palm tree oases.

The castle dates back to the 6th century CE and was built from quarried sandstone from nearby hills. It is in excellent condition today, following restoration work that began in 2008.

Summer Residences

On the other side of the road, remnants of the summer residences can be seen (although these ruins are in a much poorer condition than the Old Town).

These were built using mud and straw materials to allow air to move through the walls more easily, enabling inhabitants to stay cool during summer months.

In contrast, the use of stone covered in mud for the Old Town's walls helped to keep heat in during the winter.

Pilgrimage Route

The Old Town developed as a key settlement along the?Islamic #pilgrimage?route from Damascus to Mecca. It served as a gathering point for pilgrims, travellers, and the local inhabitants. Researchers have been able to record unique oral histories about the town from the recent inhabitants’ living memories, many of whom are still nearby, having relocated to the new town in the 20th century.

Renovations

Ongoing renovations are taking place to carefully repair some of the walls as part of?#preservation?efforts. While most of the ruins remain exposed to the elements, new life is being breathed into some of the dwellings which are being returned to their former use as shops, eateries or accommodation. On the western side of the town, the AlUla Old Town Market features local craft shops,?#restaurants?and cafes along a pedestrianised street.

In December 2022 the United Nations World Tourism Organization recognised AlUla Old Town as one of the world’s best?#tourism?villages. As Abdulrahman AlTrairi said in a recent article, this hidden gem is on its way to becoming a global jewel!

#Arabia?#MiddleEast?#sustainabletourism?#sustainability?#heritage?#culture?#architecture #art #museum

The Royal Commission for AlUla,?Kate Hall-Tipping,??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts,?Ahmed Aidarous Alaidarous, Diriyah Gate Development Authority,?Luke Potter,?Adam Wilkinson,?Aeon Strategy,?Mashael AlShalan,?Diana Segantini,?Sara Alshalan, Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia,? ????? ??????? Ministry of Culture , Saudi Tourism Authority | ?????? ???????? ???????,?Visit Saudi

In March and April I will be travelling around?more of #SaudiArabia?to visit and document more of the country's new and emerging tourism destinations. If you have interests in?#Saudi?and are looking for help with any of your projects, please reach out.