One such attraction is Dumat Al-Jundal, an ancient city of ruins located in north western Saudi Arabia in Al-Jouf. It is located 37 km away from Sakakah, the capital city of Al-Jouf Province. The history of Al-Jouf dates back more than 4000 years. It is the home of many historic and prehistoric chaeological sites such Za'bal Castle & Well, the Omar ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, and Mard Castle (just south of Sakaka). There are also the ancient Rajajil standing stones in Sakaka, dating back nearly 6,000 years.
Dumat Al-Jandal today fascinates everyone, who visits the Kingdom. The architecture enthusiasts would surely adore the ruins of this ancient city in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia. What used to be the hub of Arabian culture is now an enigmatic part of the country; hence, attracting thousands of travelers each year. Overall, Dumat or rather one can say that the whole of Al-Jouf, has a lot to offer for those who want to know about the culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
This, in fact, led the state-owned Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquity (SCTA) to organize an event to focus on the beauty and the historical aspect of the region recently. About 45 lenses of photographers took part in the recently concluded Tourism Media Convoy in Al-Jouf, and captured regions' spectacular beauty from different possible angles and in various shots, documenting region's history, heritage and culture, in addition to photographing Al-Jouf lake's natural shoreline.
Photographers who arrived from different parts of the Kingdom in the convoy. Photographers' professional lenses discovered Al Jouf's diverse beauty ranging from historical sites that tells different ages and show various architecture styles in Zable, Marid Castles and the Omar Mosque. Photographers then moved to Al Jouf's Lake coast at Domat Al Jondal, which is located close to large heaps of sand dunes. Photographers were moving from place to place to capture different beauty manifestations, from olive farms, olive manufactures, to food industry before visiting Basita Natural Reserve as a final stop, where herds of ostriches, deer and Oryx graze in the open.
They also captured the serene remnants of Dumat Al-Jandal, which means literally "Dumah of the Stone", since this was the territory of Dumah, one of the twelve sons of Ishmael. The city's ancient Akkadian name was Adummatu. The city has a history dating back to the 10th century BC and is mentioned in Akkadian inscriptions of the Assyrian empire dating to 845 BC in which it is referred to as Adummatu and is described as the capital of an Arab kingdom, sometimes named as Qedar (Qidri).
The names of five powerful Arab queens that ruled this city are known, among them Zabibe, Samsi, Tabua and Te'elhunu. Excavations made by Khaleel Ibrahim Al-Muaikel in 1986 in Dumat added to the observations made in 1976 that a homogenous layer of Roman-Nabataean pottery sherds indicating a prosperous community during the time of the Nabataeans to whom this realm of the region probably belonged.
In 106 AD, Dumat was incorporated into the Roman Empire when the Emperor Trajan defeated the Nabataeans. Known as Dumatha at that time, it remained integral to the Limes Arabicus for over four centuries, serving as the easternmost settlement along the limes. In 269 CE, the place was mentioned by Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, as city with an immune fortress. After her forces had captured the city, the fortress of Marid withstood the attack in her revolt against the Romans.
Later in the 5th century CE, the city became the capital of the kingdom of Kindah. In 633 CE, Khalid ibn Al-Walid captured Dumat Al-Jandal and it became a part of the newly formed Islamic empire. One of the important attractions to see in Dumat Al-Jandal is the Al Dar'i Quarter, which is located in the neighborhood of Omar Bin Al Khatab Mosque and Marid fortress, which represent the old quarter of Dumat Al Jandal.
Al Dar'i Quarter is considered to be one of remaining antiquities of Dumat Al Jandal's ancient city which has escaped the demolition shovels befalling the historical market of Dumat Al Jandal 25 years ago. Dr. Khalil Al Meaigil has stated that, the facilities of the quarter which dates back to the middle Islamic age have established on antiquities layers and is based on layers of archaeological works dating back to the mid-first millennium BC.
The neighborhood is characterized by the stone buildings and stone lanes between the gardens and water, which had a life of residents living near the by springs. In Al Dar'i Quarter there are many of houses which we hope will enjoy the necessary care and restoration. Worth mentioning that, the old quarter is built on the ruins of the earlier revivals which can be seen in multiple layers, as well as the emergence of the old road of the district under the existing buildings.
Another attraction in Dumat Al-Jundal is Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque. The Mosque of Omar Ibn al-Khattab (built in 634) is situated in Dumat Al-Jandal, most important junction of ancient trade routes linking Mesopotamia, Syria and the Arabian Peninsula. It is built of stone. The actual building appears to have been renovated in a much later period, casting doubt upon its attribution to Umar Ibn al-Khattab.
Some scholars featured it to the Umayyad Caliph Omar bin Abul Aziz, and some trust that the mosque was named after Bani'Amr, a tribe that settled in Dumat al-Jandal. On its other three sides, it is bounded by thick urban fabric. It is serened of a courtyard preceding the main prayer hall to the south and one more space, also used for prayer, to the north. The minaret is at the southwestern corner of the prayer hall bridging over a street.
The mosque is entered through a door situated in the Qibla wall, near the minaret. The prayer lobby is fashioned by three rows of stone pillars, running equivalent to the Qibla partition. The pillars are all by wooden lintels, which in twist sustain layers of stone that are roofed by mud-plastered acacia and palm trunks. The Mehrab is a slender, highly pointed function in the center of the Qibla wall, and is defined by a comparable position with three built-in stone steps to its right.
The Mihrab, the Minbar, and the lower part of the Qibla wall are plastered white. The four internal floors of the shaft were entranced by a now-collapsed twisting stairway entered from the Mosque. On each side of the minaret, and on each floor, a rectangular window with a stone beam provides lighting for its heart.
On the other hand, the inside view of Mard Castel in Dumat Al-Jandal is another fascination for tourists and students of history. Excavations made by Khaleel Ibrahim al-Muaikel in 1986 added to observations made in 1976 that an homogenous layer of Roman-Nabataean pottery sherds indicating a prosperous community during the time of the Nabataeans to whom this realm of the region probably belonged.
In 106 AD, Dumat was incorporated into the Roman Empire when the Emperor Trajan defeated the Nabataeans. Dumat remained integral to the Limes Arabicus for over four centuries, serving as the easternmost settlement along the limes. In 269 CE, the place was mentioned by Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, as city with an immune fortress. This is in addition to a number of sites to be seen in Dumat or in Al-Jouf.
In fact, Al-Jouf is an olive oil resort, its air filled with the fragrance of olive trees. It is also the home of biodiversity and sure to satisfy your aspirations for cultural heritage and authentic handicrafts. Its strategic location with cultural landmarks has made it one of the most compelling tourist destinations in the Kingdom. If you are on a short vacation or planning for short a weekend break, go to discover and spend the best time in Al Jouf.
The surrounding ambiance here is worlds apart, where the dazzling diverse cultural heritage will conduct you back in time. You can relish its natural produce through quality olives and delicious dates and admire the genuine handicrafts. Moreover, Al-Jouf has also a multi-spectral terrain. Its strategic location offers amazing archeological landmarks such as Ze’bel Fort which will spike your curiosity and invite you to explore it.
The Kaf Village still maintains the antique style of mud houses. If you want to expand and increase the enjoyment of your holiday, explore the diversity of neighboring tourist destinations such as the capital city Sakaka, which is the administrative center of Al-Jouf province with the essence of biodiversity and cultural heritage. It is the original olive destination.
It has held a status since ancient times and is considered the northern gate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sakaka with its combination of olive and palm trees distinguishes itself from the rest of Saudi cities. It includes a wide range of distinguished historical sites telling the rich history of the region. One can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sakaka city offered by extensive palm trees of Ze'bel, and the surrounding landscape of the stone columns in Rajajeel, south of Sakaka.
If someone wants to learn more about the stone inscriptions, then he or she can visit the Qadeer Palace and if you wish to touch the strength of the ancients in their stone sculpturing ability, please visit the Sisra well that belongs to the antiquity. Al-Jouf province also includes a number of places that offer you the opportunity to spend the most beautiful vacation through visiting the farms and its cultural and heritage resources.
There are two tracks to do this: firstly through a tour of Sakaka city, and the second by visiting the Domat Al Jandal. Saudis hope stones mystery will appeal to tourists. Nobody really knows why the 50 groups of about five pillars each are clustered at Rajajil, on the edge of the Nafud desert in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Local legend says they are a lost tribe punished by God. Whatever their origin, local authorities hope the standing stones and the history-rich Al-Jouf region will form the centre-piece of a new tourism drive.
"Until now, the tourism has been low but the strategy is to revive it and we are hoping to make Al-Jouf a vibrant tourist attraction," said Hussein Al-Mubarak, a former museum director who now heads a committee to encourage tourism. Archaeologists believe the Rajajil stones date from before 3,000 BCE - when human civilization first began to thrive in ancient Egypt and Iraq. The stones also have graffiti linking them to pre-Islamic deities.
There is no consensus on whether the site was a temple, a burial ground, a place used for astronomy or something else. Mubarak says the stones were placed on the desert's edge deliberately. "We have several mysterious sites all over the Arabian peninsula...but we have failed to know the reason why they were made and who made them," said Majeed Khan, a Semitic script expert who has spent 30 years studying Arabian sites.
Khan said the stones of Rajajil were part of the mystery. "They have something to do with religion, maybe it has an astronomical connection. There is no archaeological evidence to prove the date - we excavated and there is no pottery." Rajajil could date from a time when the peninsula was changing from a land of lakes and trees - depicted in hundreds of rock art sites - into today's dry, desert region.

Main Page	Page Up
عربي