Welcome back to FCI’s weekly newsletter! Today, we are excited to take you on a virtual journey to AlUla, a city with a rich history and natural beauty that will leave you in awe. As we explore the hidden treasures of AlUla, you’ll gain insights into its heritage, culture, and the remarkable developments taking place in this enchanting city.
What is AlUla?
AlUla is a place of extraordinary human and natural heritage. AlUla provides a journey through a living museum of preserved tombs, sandstone outcrops, historic dwellings, and monuments, both natural and human-made, that hold 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history.
AlUla’s focus on sustainability:
The Royal Commission for AlUla is dedicated to developing the region in a sustainable and responsible way, protecting its natural and historical heritage. Through initiatives in archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, they are opening up this extraordinary destination to the world, while preserving its unique character.
AlUla’s rich history:
AlUla’s stunning landscape is dotted with the remnants of civilizations that have thrived in the region for centuries. From the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms to the Nabataean trading centers and the Islamic era, AlUla’s heritage is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of past and present societies.
What is Khaybar?
Khaybar, a geological treasure in northwest Arabia, is one of nature’s wonders. Its unique landscape, born of volcanic activity, supports abundant plant and animal life. Freshwater springs and wadis create an oasis that has attracted settled and nomadic people for centuries.
Like its sister oases Tayma and AlUla, Khaybar is rediscovering its history and revealing new stories that were once unknown. Its layered records, evidenced by the remains of fortresses, traditional craftsmanship, and enduring ways of life, tell the tale of a region rich in culture and heritage.
What is Tayma?
Tayma is the land of the kings. The discovery of numerous burial structures along avenues near permanent water sources has further strengthened the link between the three oases of AlUla, Tayma, and Khaybar. The directions of these avenues suggest that travellers would have frequently passed between the three oases, providing further evidence of their interconnectedness.
What is Maraya?
Maraya (meaning “mirror” or “reflection” in Arabic) is a breathtaking architectural marvel nestled in the heart of AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Covered in 9,740 mirrored panels, it seamlessly blends into the surrounding desert landscape, rising from the sand like a mirage. This state-of-the-art structure holds the Guinness World Record for the largest mirrored building in the world. It celebrates AlUla’s significant role in history as a crossroads of cultures for centuries, reflecting the area’s remarkable heritage. More than just a stunning work of art, Maraya is also a fully functional multi-purpose venue and centerpiece of AlUla’s emerging cultural scene on a global scale.
Stay tuned for FCI’s newsletters where we focus on one of the inspirational projects under the Saudi 2030 Vision each week and explore them in detail.
