Rijal Alma: The Charming Stone Village
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The Asir region is a unique and diverse area of Saudi Arabia, known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It is a prime destination for tourists. Among the many scenic mountains, beaches, and historical sites, the village of Rijal Alma stands out for its lush greenery and captivating architecture. With origins dating back nearly 900 years, the village was once a stopover for travelers traveling between Yemen and the Levant to Makkah and Madinah.
Marvelous Architecture
The soon-to-be UNESCO heritage site, Rijal Alma, has hidden folk tales inside the beauty of architecture. The village comprises 60 multiple-storeyed ancient buildings made of stone, clay, and wood. The Basalt stone used here gave them strength to last long through time. Due to the design and architecture, the entire village has the characteristic of gingerbread; it was named ‘gingerbread village.’
The house's interior is painted and decorated with fascinating colors by skilled artisans. Apart from the houses, the hillside of the villages has some defensive watchtowers to provide enhanced views of fields and firing ranges. The village's aesthetics is not solely based on architecture but also on social values. Many families share multistoried buildings.
Main attractions
The Al Jaber and Al Hawat fort is the tallest among the group, with other notable forts being the Maejib and Hakim, Al Diriyyah, and Al Sisbae forts. Each fort has its own unique history and is passed down and maintained by local families. The residents of the village have established the Rijal Alma Museum, housed in one of the stone houses, to preserve the history and heritage of the village. The museum showcases over 2800 artifacts and more than 500 kg of local jewelry.
Other highlights of the area include:
• The Qasabat Al Owus tower, an ancient tower offering breath-taking views
• The Country honey hut, where visitors can sample delicious honey from Rijal Alma.
• Jabal Soudah, a trekking spot
• Jabal Ash Shorfa, an area with beautiful agricultural terraces