Saudi Gazette report

NAJRAN — Almost on the Yemeni border in the southwest of the Kingdom, Najran is one of the most fascinating places in the Kingdom that has attracted thousands of tourists from within and outside the country.



Set in a sprawling oasis, this area has been inhabited for about 4,000 years and was once a major stop on the frankincense route.



Najran is surrounded by several archaeological and historical sites scattered in its suburbs. This has enabled it to possess various geographical natural sights that include numerous services and public utilities, thus making it a top tourist destination.



The region is replete with numerous heritage and historical sites dating back to thousands of years, like the Trench archaeological site located in Al-Qabil district in the south of the valley. It includes masonry buildings, castles and historical drawings and inscriptions that narrate the story of the People of the Trench, mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. Najran city also has distinctive Islamic and historical sites including Al-Dharwa in Rijla and Qarn Al-Za’faran in Al-Shurfah.



Raum Castle is located between Mount Abu Hamdan and Mount Saadan in the western part of Najran. It is some 1,800 meters above ground level and overlooks the farms and villages scattered on the banks of Najran Valley, like Al-Hudhun, Al-Mofajah and Zu Al-Harith villages in a magnificent view.



Each of the region's 34 valleys contains 12 heritage houses including palaces and castles, or what is known as the clay Al-Duroob houses, amid the date palm trees and farms on the banks of Wadi Najran. These are favorite places for tourists and visitors to get acquainted with the old art of construction and unique architectural engineering in building clay houses.



The historical Aba Al-Saud market in Al-Balad has economic and historical importance due to the heritage handicrafts the region is famous for, like Najrani daggers (Janbiyah), aside from leather goods, embroidery and clay and stone vessels.



Visitors to the region are keen to purchase them to present as gifts to their near and dear ones.



Najran city enjoys a distinctive geographical diversity, making it a beautiful place with mountains on the western, northern and southern sides. Valleys descend from these mountains and flow to Najran Valley, which bisects the city into northern and southern parts. Date and wheat farms as well as grape vineyards are scattered on the banks of Najran Valley and adjacent to the Al-Duroob houses. Sand dunes of the Empty Quarter (Al-Rub’ Al-Khali) surround the city from the eastern side.



In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Saleh Muhammad Al-Mraih, director general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in Najran, said the region has over 20 hotels and over 130 licensed furnished residential units to receive visitors.