Hegra
This dramatic stone city, now Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, was strategically positioned south of its famous sister site of Petra in Jordan, and was once an important trade route between the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and Asia. Now it’s a must-visit destination of discovery
Carved into the weathered remains of mountains, more than 100 high-rise tombs soar from the rust-red desert floor in one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological sites. Inside these mighty monoliths lies the remains of an ancient civilisation once prospering throughout Arabia and the Levant, yet still relatively little about their life and culture is known.
Part of a trade network linked with Petra in Jordan, Hegra holds the keys to unlocking the many secrets and mysteries of the Nabataean (desert dwelling nomads who controlled the spice and incense trades from the fourth century BC to the first century AD). But as the sands slowly shift, more details are emerging, with new chapters in an epic story unfolding every day.
Lying less than 22 kilometres from AlUla, the 52-hectare necropolis was left largely undisturbed for 2,000 years, with only a trickling of foreigners fortunate enough to glimpse its treasures. Now Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site is easy to explore by coach, bike or in a vintage 4x4 – but the sense of discovery and electrifying allure of the unknown remains the same.
To study every detail would be impossible, but there are several key sights to visit:
The Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza, so-called because the inscription suggests Lihyan was a powerful figure and perhaps a king, is undoubtedly Hegra’s show-stopping attraction. Isolated from all other constructions, this ‘lonely castle’ is the largest tomb in the area. Although unfinished, it’s become an icon, frequently photographed at sunset or admired from above on a helicopter ride.
More examples of expert craftsmanship can be found at Jabal AlBanat, a large cluster of tombs, all commissioned or occupied by women. Above sturdy columns, two sets of five stairs promise to deliver souls to heaven. Eagles, griffins and masks trailing with Medusa-like manes of snakes are etched into sandstone facades, along with inscriptions threatening to curse anyone who dares to interfere with the tombs.
Beyond the tombs there are more clues to understanding the Nabataean culture. A natural fault in the rocks creates a tiny slit through Jabal Ithlib mountain, where religious rituals were practised. Several betyls (vertical stone carvings) represent deities, while a large hollow known as the Diwan once functioned as a space for grand banquets.
Most remarkable of all, though, is the silence. Turn a corner in the vast, crowd-free site and it’s easy to be alone, lost in the ever-shifting and intriguingly unfathomable sands of time.
The easiest way to fly is direct from London to Saudi Arabia with Saudia or British Airways, taking six and a half hours. Change planes in either capital Riyadh or Jeddah to take a short domestic flight of around 90 minutes to AlUla’s newly renovated international airport, a 35km or 30 minute drive from most accommodation.
Another option is to fly with Emirates Airlines to Dubai where flights connect with Emirates’ partner airline flydubai flying non-stop from Dubai into AlUla International Airport. Alternatively, you can fly with Qatar Airways or Royal Jordanian from the UK non-stop to Doha or Amman with flight connections directly into AlUla. Local Saudi airline flynas provides flights into AlUla from Dubai, Cairo, Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
How to get to AlUla
Click an area on the map to explore AlUla, or scroll to keep reading
Hegra
This dramatic stone city, now Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, was strategically positioned south of its famous sister site of Petra in Jordan, and was once an important trade route between the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean and Asia. Now it’s a must-visit destination of discovery
Carved into the weathered remains of mountains, more than 100 high-rise tombs soar from the rust-red desert floor in one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological sites. Inside these mighty monoliths lies the remains of an ancient civilisation once prospering throughout Arabia and the Levant, yet still relatively little about their life and culture is known.
Part of a trade network linked with Petra in Jordan, Hegra holds the keys to unlocking the many secrets and mysteries of the Nabataean (desert dwelling nomads who controlled the spice and incense trades from the fourth century BC to the first century AD). But as the sands slowly shift, more details are emerging, with new chapters in an epic story unfolding every day.
Lying less than 22 kilometres from AlUla, the 52-hectare necropolis was left largely undisturbed for 2,000 years, with only a trickling of foreigners fortunate enough to glimpse its treasures. Now Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site is easy to explore by coach, bike or in a vintage 4x4 – but the sense of discovery and electrifying allure of the unknown remains the same.
To study every detail would be impossible, but there are several key sights to visit:
The Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza, so-called because the inscription suggests Lihyan was a powerful figure and perhaps a king, is undoubtedly Hegra’s show-stopping attraction. Isolated from all other constructions, this ‘lonely castle’ is the largest tomb in the area. Although unfinished, it’s become an icon, frequently photographed at sunset or admired from above on a helicopter ride.
More examples of expert craftsmanship can be found at Jabal AlBanat, a large cluster of tombs, all commissioned or occupied by women. Above sturdy columns, two sets of five stairs promise to deliver souls to heaven. Eagles, griffins and masks trailing with Medusa-like manes of snakes are etched into sandstone facades, along with inscriptions threatening to curse anyone who dares to interfere with the tombs.
Beyond the tombs there are more clues to understanding the Nabataean culture. A natural fault in the rocks creates a tiny slit through Jabal Ithlib mountain, where religious rituals were practised. Several betyls (vertical stone carvings) represent deities, while a large hollow known as the Diwan once functioned as a space for grand banquets.
Most remarkable of all, though, is the silence. Turn a corner in the vast, crowd-free site and it’s easy to be alone, lost in the ever-shifting and intriguingly unfathomable sands of time.
The easiest way to fly is direct from London to Saudi Arabia with Saudia or British Airways, taking six and a half hours. Change planes in either capital Riyadh or Jeddah to take a short domestic flight of around 90 minutes to AlUla’s newly renovated international airport, a 35km or 30 minute drive from most accommodation.
Another option is to fly to travel via Dubai where flydubai, and flynas operate flights directly into AlUla International Airport. Or fly from Amman on Royal Jordanian or from Cairo on flynas.
How to get to AlUla
Click an area on the map to explore AlUla, or scroll to keep reading
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Illustration: Pei-Hsin Cho, Design: Matthew Brant,
Editor: Hannah Hopkins, Pictures: Alex Kelly,
Web Producer: Caroline Stacey,
Project Manager: Michelle Birbeck
Words: Sarah Marshall
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Illustration: Pei-Hsin Cho, Design: Matthew Brant,
Editor: Hannah Hopkins, Pictures: Alex Kelly,
Web Producer: Caroline Stacey,
Project Manager: Michelle Birbeck
Words: Sarah Marshall
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Introduction
Jabal Ikmah
Dadan
AlUla Old Town & AlJadidah
One of Arabia’s oldest cities and home to the Nabataean city of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient region of AlUla is being rediscovered.
For more inspiration, visit experiencealula.com
One of Arabia’s oldest cities and home to the Nabataean city of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient region of AlUla is being rediscovered.
For more inspiration, visit experiencealula.com