Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
29 December 2014
Qasr al-Farid - Madain Saleh
Qasr al-Farid is probably the most
photogenic and most iconic symbol of Madain Saleh. Qasr al-Farid means "the Lonely
Castle," is the largest tomb in Madain Saleh and is located at
the southwest of the site. It was given the name Qasr al-Farid because it is
completely isolated from the other tombs, “farid” meaning “lonely” in Arabic. Qasir
al-Farid is situated all by itself in a separate rocky monolith and includes an
architectural feature not found in other tombs, namely the two Nabatean columns
found on the lower part of the facade, as well as the side columns, whereas all
the other façades at Madain Saleh bear only two pilasters, standing on each
side of the façade. The tomb was never
completed as is evident in its lower portion and the open space before the
entrance. The foundation inscription of the tomb, which reads “For Hyyan bin
Kuza and his descendants”, is undated. The light is best in the evening for
photographing and viewing this tomb