Hurray! All Saudi Heritage Sites Are Open For Tourists Now With Most Offering Free Entry
It has long been a custom that many cultural heritage sites that are located away from the main cities of Saudi Arabia have often been kept literally behind locked doors. But with the push for tourism that Saudi Arabia is witnessing a slew of cultural sites located in small towns have been thrown open for visitors. The best part — most of them offer free entry.
This new development has been announced by the kingdom’s Heritage Commission earlier this week.
Some of the sites that have now been opened for tourists include Tabuk province’s King Abdulaziz Castle and Magha’er Shuaib — both will be open all days of the week!
Madian, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
It’s known to be prophet Shuaib town pic.twitter.com/lgtB3bNIG1— Saudi Arabia (@reemmohaabdul) December 6, 2018
Other places in the kingdom’s northwest on the list include the visitors center in the archaeological area in Sakaka, Zaabal Castle, Rajajeel Visitors Centre and the archaeological area in Dumat Al Jandal.
Zaabal Castle, Al-Jouf, #SaudiArabia
Photo by @ahmad_alhuzaim pic.twitter.com/fuagC2jCxd— Old Arabia (@OldArabia) September 18, 2017
One of the most significant places in the announcement is Jabal Umm Sinman that’s one of the kingdom’s most celebrated ancient rock art sites.
Ostriches in Saudi Arabian rock art (Ha’il Region, ~10000 BCE-650 CE) pic.twitter.com/CqnE5CVHv8
— sean (@DilettanteryPod) September 23, 2021
The list includes sites in the kingdom’s northern borders all the way to Najran’s archaeological Ukhdood site deep in the kingdom’s south. Simply put, there’s so much on the cards now that a one-week Saudi tour just won’t do. Especially, if you’re a history buff.
NAJRAN 2012
AL OKHDOOD WALL
نجران – جدار الأخدود#نجران_نيوز#نجران_آلان #نجران_عاجل pic.twitter.com/4JzQqQiN7o— صحيفة المشهد الإخبارية (@almshhadnews) January 16, 2016
The timings of each site have been announced on the official twitter handle of the Heritage Commission.
مواقع التراث الثقافي في منطقة الرياض؛ ساحات رحبة لاستكشاف أصول العطاء الثقافي المستمر للمنطقة على امتداد التاريخ.
تعرّف على مواعيد زيارة مواقع التراث الثقافي في منطقة الرياض.#وجهتك_التراثية
#هيئة_التراث pic.twitter.com/I3CFsfS6vD— هيئة التراث (@MOCHeritage) May 23, 2022
One place that’s seemingly missing from the heritage commission’s announcement is the historic site of Hima in Najran that’s the kingdom’s newest entrant on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
We’re not exactly sure if that has been thrown open for the public as well.
منطقة حِمى الثقافية؛ امتداد لحضور معالمنا في خارطة التراث العالمي.#هيئة_التراث pic.twitter.com/yZQGoDMCUG
— هيئة التراث (@MOCHeritage) May 23, 2022