Foto: The AlMasmak fort (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Saudi_Arabia - We continue on to the Al Masmak Fort. Parking here is easier. There’s a parking lot where we can leave the car for a fee. The citadel, made of clay and mud, was built in 1865. In 1902, King Abdul Aziz captured the fort and took control of Riyadh. At the entrance, we expect to find a ticket booth, but the museum turns out to be free to visit. Inside, the history of modern Saudi Arabia and the royal family is presented. The mudbrick fort is well maintained and has been renovated. Nothing remains of the former adjacent palace. That area is now occupied by Deera Square and the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque. In the past, public executions were held here on Friday afternoons, but that practice has been stopped. We’re not allowed to enter the mosque, but through the entrance door we catch a glimpse of the inner courtyard. The streets surrounding the fort were once part of the old walled city. Due to the city’s expansion, the walls have largely been demolished. However, many small shops still occupy the narrow streets. We walk through the covered Deerah Souq. The old souq is known for selling gold and antiques. Shopkeepers are curious about where we are from. Most of them are from India, Bangladesh, or Nepal. None of the vendors are Saudi.
Madain Saleh
Saudi_Arabia - This morning, we visit the magnificent tombs of the Nabataeans in Madain Saleh. Just before the start of the Common Era, the Nabataeans expanded trade routes from Petra in Jordan. In Hegra—the other name for Madain Saleh—they carved tombs with beautiful ...
The 300meter high Kingdom Tower
Saudi_Arabia - From the platform at 200 meters, we have a view over the entire city. We can see our hotel, the fort, the mosque on the edge of town, and directly in front of us, the Kingdom Tower. This skyscraper, shaped like a bottle opener, is the tallest building ...
The historic old town of Jeddah
Saudi_Arabia - In the historic old town of Jeddah, many old Ottoman houses still remain—characteristic white buildings with wooden balconies. Some are heavily dilapidated, while others are being restored. The old town of Jeddah has been on the UNESCO World Heritage ...
The rock carvings of Jibal Umm Sinman
Saudi_Arabia - Around 12:30, we arrive at the rock carvings of Jibal Umm Sinman. The parking lot is empty—could it be closed? We walk through the entrance into the visitor center. In one of the rooms, two men are sitting on a carpet. “Come in, come in.” As they ...
The traditional houses of Abha
Saudi_Arabia - Just outside the center of Abha lies the Al Nasb district. In this neighborhood, a few houses built using traditional mud-and-stone construction methods still remain. Most of the historical houses are abandoned, and therefore deteriorating quickly. We ...
Wadi Al Disah
Saudi_Arabia - We get into the car with Abu. He introduces himself with a longer name but is fine with us just calling him Abu. A cheerful older man. He doesn’t speak a word of English, but that doesn't dampen his enthusiasm one bit. He drives the car through a deep ...