Tabuk Castle stands tall as one of the region’s most important historical monuments as its location has links with the site where Prophet Muhammad lived during the Battle of Tabuk.
The ancient fortress is one of the stations on the Shami Hajj Road, which connects the Levant and Madinah. The road has castles and stations starting from the borders of Jordan to Madinah.
The castle’s construction dates back to 1586. It was restored in 1653 and then renovated and restored again in 1843. The mosque’s mihrab bears an inscription to mark the occasion.
The castle was renovated again in 1950 and in 1992 by the Agency for Antiquities and Museums in the former Ministry of Education.
The General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage played an important role in refurbishing the castle in 2012, and the building is now an archaeological museum with many artifacts and heritage items on display.
It is open to visitors throughout the week.
The castle has two floors, with the ground floor comprising an open courtyard, rooms, a mosque, and a well.
The upper floor has an open-air summer mosque and rooms, in addition to other stairs that lead to the towers used for guarding and observation. Behind the castle, there are the royal pools. One is square and the other is rectangular.
The Tabuk region has monuments, landmarks, castles, and palaces that reflect the depth of the historical eras and civilizations present in the region, which has a legacy spanning thousands of years.
Its geographical location was pivotal for trade routes throughout history.
ThePlace: Tabuk Archaeological Castle, an ancient fortress on the Levant-Madinah Hajj road
https://arab.news/z52cm
ThePlace: Tabuk Archaeological Castle, an ancient fortress on the Levant-Madinah Hajj road
- The castle was renovated again in 1950 and in 1992 by the Agency for Antiquities and Museums in the former Ministry of Education
Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions
- Several distinct camel breeds are found in the region
- Animals permeate Arab consciousness, says expert
RIYADH: In Najran, camels are not only a vital livestock resource but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition.
According to Hadi Benyan Al-Amer, head of Najran’s Camel Association, the region has several distinct camel breeds.
Principal among them is the Awarik, an ancient Arabian lineage linked to territories where arak trees flourish, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
These light-colored, sparsely-haired camels possess remarkable resilience, and are prevalent across southern Arabia.
The Majahim are characterized by dark hues spanning black to brown, and excel in both milk yield and endurance.
The Asayil are prized for their sleek, lean physiques, and dominate in speed-based competitions.
Al-Amer said traditional water sources known as Odood, or traditional water wells and artesian wells, have sustained herders navigating the Empty Quarter’s grazing lands for generations.
These permanent water points, equipped with dedicated drinking basins for camels, showcase the animals’ extraordinary environmental resilience.
Among the principal wells accessible from Najran are Al-Minkhali, Abu Shadid, Hamra Nathil, Tamani, Umm Al-Wahat, and Khujaima.
Countless additional wells dot the Empty Quarter and adjacent territories, forming the backbone of camel owners’ far-reaching pastoral networks.
Dr. Hind bint Dawood Al-Shuqair of Najran University’s Arabic Language Department explained how camels have permeated Arab consciousness through legends and stories spanning thousands of years.
Representing endurance, power, and grace, they have become inseparable from Arab cultural identity.
Archaeological evidence at Al-Ukhdood, Mount Al-Tharwa and Hima, preserves through carvings and ancient artwork the deep bond between people and camels, Al-Shuqair said.
She drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in camel heritage, exemplified by proclaiming 2024 as the Year of the Camel.
This designation emphasizes their importance to national prosperity and cultural heritage while backing global initiatives to promote awareness of camels as valuable economic and cultural assets.
The Kingdom further demonstrates its commitment to protecting the animals through the annual King Abdulaziz Festival, the SPA reported.
