Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih) World Heritage Site

Official name

Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih) | UNESCO

Country

Saudi Arabia | Map

Continent

Asia

Location

26.7836° Lat, 37.9550° Lon | Map

Code

1293

Time Zone

Asia/Riyadh (+03, +0300)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2008. The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr bears a unique testimony to Nabataean civilization. With its 111 monumental tombs, 94 of which are decorated, and water wells, the site is an outstanding example of the Nabataeans’ architectural accomplishment and hydraulic expertise.