Al-Ola is rich in antiquities, some dating back to the era of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and even earlier. Archeologists have found indications of age-old civilizations with inscriptions from the Lihyanite and Dedanite eras. Tombs dating back to pre-Islamic times are true wonders for even the uninitiated tourist.
In the early years of Al-Ola, the town was an important center for the incense and perfume trade route. Caravans passed from faraway India to Egypt and Yemen. The sparsely populated settlement was in fact once the second capital of Nabataeans. Al-Ola went by the name of Dedan in those times.
History has it that once in the Hijri month of Jumaid Al-Thani, the Prophet passed through Al-Ola and built a mosque there for prayer. Al-Ola is also known for the Rock Mosque where the Prophet stopped for prayer when he passed by.
Khuraybat Al-Ola, some four kms north east of Al-Ola is important to historians and tourists for its tombs and rock inscriptions. Several ancient buildings from the early times of the Lihyanite and Dedanite civilizations are found here. The Al-Aswad Tombs reflect the ancient settlements in Ula. They were sculpted by the Lihyanites, who were the inhabitants of what was then Dedan.
Drive some three kms northeast of Khuraybat Al-Ola and you’ll find Jebel Al-Akma inscriptions. The site has several archaeological monuments, with rock inscriptions of names from the Lihyanite, Dedanite, Thamudic and Minean periods. A few kms away lies another archeological wonder, the Mahalab Al-Naqa.
The Hejaz railway line once passed through Al-Ola during the Ottoman era. The town was a rail stop, though nearby Madein Saleh is better known for its well-preserved railway station.
A tour around historical Al-Ola will not be complete without a visit to the ancient citadel, believed to be built in the 6th century. Built with sandstone, it demonstrates the skillful architecture of the times. Climb to the top to get a splendid view of the valley, cliffs and vast greenery of the oasis.
Al-Ola’s ancient alleys will give you a sense of medieval times. Simply walk through the alleys and take in the eerie aura that surrounds the lanes. Get a similar feel at the lonely Ottoman Fort a few kms away, where you’ll rarely find a passer-by. It was only in the 20th century that new areas of the town were built though the old areas remained. When arriving from Madinah, the Al-Ola gate welcomes the visitor to the new part of the town, which offers present-day comforts though is well in the vicinity of the old areas.
Walk a few miles up the nearby hillocks and get a spectacular view of the old and new towns lying in contrast, side by side. The old town, in fact, was inhabited till about 40 years ago. Today it bears a deserted look, with the mud houses standing testimony to the ancient civilization. Al-Ola, which finds mention in the well-known collection of Arabic poems, Muallaqat, has a picturesque setting thanks to the two mountain ranges that envelop it. The naturally dyed red cliffs and green palms add to the splendid setting under a sky that seems to be perennially blue any time of the year. Madinah to the south is the nearest major city to Al-Ola. Well connected by Saudi Arabian Airlines, Madinah will be an ideal hopping point to Al-Ola for the international traveler, while the domestic tourist can fly down to Al-Wejh airport, just two hours away.

Main Page	Page Up
عربي