Old Al Ula
is the ancient trading town comprising 1032 houses with narrow lanes passing in
front of them. The town houses consisted of two levels, the first built of
stones carried from the ancient site of al-Khuraybah was allocated for
receiving guests and storage and the second floor built out of mud brick, was
used for the living area with some of the lanes roofed to increase the area of
the upper floors of the houses. The town was designed in a way that made it
easy to defend with all houses joined to each other forming a fortification
around the city and the fort was placed high above the centre of town, on a
jabal, for added protection. There were 14 gates to the city, known locally as
aswar, that were opened in the morning and closed in the evening. A wide route
passes through the town where camel caravans passed and here a number of shops
and other trading posts were placed. The town houses were built around an
elevated area away from the valley, keeping it safe from torrential rain,
streams and floodwater. The town is now disused and has fallen into disrepair
but is a very interesting place to visit and is currently being renovated in
parts with information boards to tell the visitor about some of the towns
history. The famous traveller Ibn Battutah mentioned Al Ula as he visited there
saying “Al Ula is a large and fine village with orchards, date palms and water.
The pilgrimage caravans stay there for four days to resupply and wash. Pilgrims
leave with the villagers any excess belongings they have as they are known for
their trustworthiness and only take with them what they need for the journey”.
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| Taken by Julianna Babbington (Age 6) |
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| Taken by Kerensa Babbington (Age 6) |
