Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih)

Brief Description

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.

Saudi Arabia

N26 47 1 E37 57 18

Date of Inscription: 2008

Criteria: (ii)(iii)

Property : 1,621 ha

Buffer zone: 1,659 ha

Ref: 1293

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah

Brief Description

This property was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of the Arabian Penisula, north-west of Riyadh. Founded in the 15th century, it bears witness to the Najdi architectural style, which is specific to the centre of the Arabian peninsula. In the 18th and early 19th century, its political and religious role increased, and the citadel at at-Turaif became the centre of the temporal power of the House of Saud and the spread of the Wahhabi reform inside the Muslim religion. The property includes the remains of many palaces and an urban ensemble built on the edge of the ad-Dir’iyah oasis.

Saudi Arabia

N24 44 2.88 E46 34 20.88

Date of Inscription: 2010

Criteria: (iv)(v)(vi)

Property : 29 ha

Buffer zone: 238 ha

Ref: 1329

Source: http://whc.unesco.org