Rijal Almaa

Rijal Almaa is a village located in 'Asir Region, Saudi Arabia.[1][2][3] It is 45 km (28 mi) from Abha.[4] Anciently, the village used to be a natural passage that linked between Yemen, Makkah, Madinah and Levant. Thus, it was a regional trade center. Rijal Almaa contains around 60 multiple-story buildings made of stone, clay and wood.[4] The village has a historical significance as it has a number of long and old fortresses.[5] As the village is open for visitors, people can reach the place through a number of ways including Sawda center, Aqabat Sama, Muhayil Asir and Hobail.[5]

Recently, a rehabilitation project has been undertaken by The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities in collaboration with the private sector. Moreover, a museum was established by the local people in one of the village's forts in 1985.[4]

In 2017, the village was awarded the prize of Prince Sultan bin Salman for Urban Heritage.[6] In January 2018, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has given Rijal Almaa the right to file for the UNESCO World Heritage Center.[7]

Location

The village is 45 km away west of Abha. It is located in a mountainous area bordered with Souda center from the east, Mahail Asir from the north, Al-Darb province from the south, and Qanna from the west.

Important Sites
  • Al Alwan Museum: The museum located in Rijal Almaa governate and displays historical and traditional Asiri antiquities, clothes and utensils.[8]
  • Wadi Hali Dam: It is located in the north of Rijal Almaa village. The area has many traditional houses that are built amid the city.[9]



Population

It has a population of about 66,000.


History of the Rijal Almaa

The Rijal Almaa have long been known for their participation in wars, and here are the most famous battles in which they have participated:

.The famed 9th century Persian scholar Al-Tabari wrote that the Rijal Almaa participated with the 700 soldiers of the Bariq and Ghamd tribes, their general from Barq, in the battle of Qadisiyah.

References
  1. "Saudi heritage revival too late to save many cultural treasures". Reuters. Reuters. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  2. "Rijal Alma Village". www.scth.gov.sa. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Government of Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  3. Reuters. "Saudi heritage revival too late to save many cultural treasures". ArabianBusiness.com. Arabian Business. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  4. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Rijal Almaa Heritage Village in Assir Region". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  5. "Rijal Alma: Saudi village with a long history prepares for international exposure". Arab News. 2018-10-29. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  6. "Saudi village of Rijal Alma prepares to join UNESCO World Heritage List". Arab News. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  7. "Saudi village of Rijal Alma prepares to join UNESCO World Heritage List". Arab News. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  8. "Rijal Almaa". sauditourism.sa. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  9. "Rijal Almaa". sauditourism.sa. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
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