Saudi Arabia is one of the most important and rich historical country in the world not only for Muslims but also for non Muslims.
There are hundreds of historical and important places in Saudi Arabia that you should know. Let’s explore some of them here.
Most Popular Historical Places in Saudi Arabia
1# Al-Hijr – Mada’in Saleh
Image Source
The archaeological site of Al-Hijr is Saudi Arabia’s only World Heritage Site. It is a former site of the Nabataeans, and well-preserved tombs one finds there more than 200 years old from the 1st century BC. Whose front views showing valuable ornaments. The graves with their inscriptions and cave paintings provide information about the life of the Nabateans.
The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr was registered in 2008 in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Historic District At-Turaif in ad Dir’iyah The Historical section at-Turaif in ad Dir’iyah was registered in 2010 in the list of UNESCO world heritage Sites.
2# Petroglyphs in Ha’il
In north-western province of Ha’il – on the edge of the desert Nefud – are the two largest localities of rock art in the Arabian Peninsula. There are sites around Jabal Umm Sanman and archaeological reserve Shuwaymis. The provincial capital Ha’il is the same around 270,000 inhabitants oasis city. Because of its location on the pilgrimage route between Baghdad and Mecca they formerly possessed an important meaning. In the sandstone cliffs of Jabal Umm Sanman 490 sites were more than 4,000 petroglyphs found, including images of people, animals and hunting scenes and inscriptions were found. They date from the Neolithic Age, the Bronze and Iron Ages, and from the early Islamic period.
The oldest images with an age of about 10,000 years submitted by the here his time living Bedouins who lived in Jubbah, as there still existed a large lake. In the second archaeological site – the archaeological reserve Shuwaymis was found several hundred petroglyphs with images of aurochs, gazelles, dogs, camels, leopards and horses.
See Also : 7 Best Places to Visit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia 2016
3# Arafat
This small mountain is located about 25 Km east of Mecca. Its name in translation means as much as “mountain of forgiveness”.The forefather Abraham (Ibrahim) to have been here to sacrifice his son Ismail ready and Muhammad PBUH his last sermon (Khutbatul Wada ‘) have held. The Mount Arafat is an important station during the pilgrimage. Man praises God Almighty and begs him with their hands and his face towards the Ka’bah. It once had the prophet Muhammad PBUH did. This holy place is no station of the Hajj, but has nevertheless a strong religious significance. On the mountain is the Her’aa grotto.
Muslims believe that Muhammad PBUH was revealed the Quran here for the first time . The mountain rises near the town of Mecca Mina In this valley near Mecca, there is a station during the Islamic pilgrimage. The faithful go to this place to the devil symbolic stoning (Sheitan al-radshim). This devil (Iblis) is symbolized by stone columns. The devil appeared to him here and tried to dissuade him from this divinely ordained sacrifices. But Ismail cursed the devil and pelted him with stones. This event commemorating the Pilgrims in their strict subordination to the word of God. During the ceremony, they are wrapped in white robes. After the symbolic stoning a sacrificial animal is in its own name slaughtered and the meat donated to the poor. Then allowed to cut their hair. The faithful stay until sunset Mina. ZamZam During the pilgrimage to Mecca is for the faithful a religious honor to drink of the water of this well, which is located in the courtyard of the Al-Masjid al-Haram.
See Also : 10 Best Place to Visit in Dammam, Saudi Arabia 2016
4# Holy Ka’bah
![holy-kaaba-pic[3]](http://saudibuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/holy-kaaba-pic3.jpg)
The Ka’bah is a cube-shaped house (12 x 10 x 15 m), located in the center of the Al-Masjid al-Haram. To Ka’bah annual pilgrimage millions of Muslim believers from around the world. It is this which dictates the direction of prayer (qibla); have to pray by all the Muslims. This symbolizes the unity of the Islamic community (umma). The importance of Ka’bah for Islam goes back to the fact that they (according to Sura 3:96) is the first house of God on earth for the Muslims. The first Ka’bah to have been built by angels, while Adam was the first man who rebuilt it after it had fallen long forgotten and degenerated into ruin. After the Great Mosque has been destroyed to Makkah for various reasons then built by Abraham and his son Ismail at God’s command it again. If the Ka’bah visited in pre-Islamic times as a sanctuary of the Arabs, it has 632 a purely Islamic.
See Also : 11 Interesting Facts about Jeddah Tower
5# Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca
This is the largest mosque of Makkah. It surrounds the Ka’bah completely and is regarded by Muslims as the holiest place on earth. According to Islamic belief, a prayer house was built in heaven by angels, so they could honor Allah there before the creation of man. Directly above the Ka’bah itself this divine house (al-Baytu l-Ma’mur) should be located. The mosque was destroyed many times for various reasons. Recently it has been rebuilt on the orders of Allah by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ismail, together with the Ka’bah. The mosque has always been an important part of Arab culture.
See Also : 10 Best Places to Visit in Madina, Saudi Arabia 2016
6# Gasaba towers in Asir Mountains
Mada’in Saleh al-Ula located in the north ancient rocks cemetery contains about 2000 years old Aramaic and about 4,000 to 5,000 years old rock inscriptions. The landscape in this region has exceptional, resulting from weathering rock formations. Qaryat al-Fau In the former caravan city is now home to an archaeological site. Mine of Abqaiq in the city, in east of the country Mine be 500 years salt is already degraded. Timna and Shiban of these old cities can still see the ruins. Traditional clay architecture typical traditional construction can be based visit of adobe houses in the west of the old town of Riyadh.
See Also : 10 Best Places to Visit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2016
7# Museum of History State / Riad
This museum is located in the old fort Al Masmak. Museum of Saudi history / Riad in Murabba district is now a luxurious Museum of Saudi history. It is surrounded by a park and adventure facility and from the water tower from Riyadh. National Museum / Riad were founded as a place of education and cultural identity. At 17,000 square meters, it shows documents, manuscripts, antiques and much more. Riyadh Museum of History and Archeology / Riad is located in the district of Al-Bathaa, so in the oldest part of the city.
