JEDDAH: The Raum mountain, with an ancient fortress perched on top, is the latest in a series of major attractions drawing tourists to Najran, a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen.
The 1,000-meter high geographical jewel provides a bird’s eye view of the city and houses a castle decorated with distinctive shapes and patterns to reflect the history of the region, its civilization and ancient architecture.
Below the castle are newly-constructed reservoirs to stock up water during the rainy season.
The fortress, which is also an archaeological site, is surrounded by a large external wall built of square stones and adorned with shielding balconies. It has five rooms, a roof made of palm wood and a winding staircase.
Mount Raum is located to the south of the Najran valley facing the Abu Hamdan mountain — the highest mountain in the region — and runs parallel to the Wadi Najran watercourse.
It holds strategic and historical significance attracting tourists and explorers looking to document the area overlooking the heritage villages of Al-Hudhun, Al Qabil, and Djerba.
Tourists throng to the Saudi Arabian city of Najran for bird’s eye views of the valley
Tourists throng to the Saudi Arabian city of Najran for bird’s eye views of the valley
