Makkah: Al-Ahsa, one of Saudi Arabia’s most-popular tourist destinations, is renowned for its landscapes, its oasis, and its rich history. It is also home to one of the Kingdom’s oldest markets — Qaisariah — which hosts more than 400 shops.
The market, located in Hofuf’s Al-Rifaa neighborhood, was built in 1822. At the time, according to local historian Dr. Abdul-Ilah Al-Mulla, it sold only staple foods and household products, before expanding to include fabrics, clothing and ornaments.
Visitors to the market will be transported back in time by its traditional architecture — lanterns light the corridors, the shops have carved wooden doors, and the ceilings are covered in painted wooden slabs.
Vendors often sit outside their shops, showcasing samples of their products. Local artisans can be seen working on shoes, sadu, copperware, scarves, and leather products in their shops beside the market’s numerous food booths.
The market is well-known for selling the famous locally woven textile known as mshaleh, which is used to make abayas.
Al-Mulla said that the market has been restored and rebuilt several times over the centuries, most notably during the reign of King Abdulaziz. Ibrahim Al-Gosaibi, whose ancestors built the market originally, suggested to the king that it should be revamped in 1920. Two years later, King Abdulaziz himself reopened the newly refurbished market.
In 2000, a fire destroyed around 80 percent of the market. It took many years, but eventually it was rebuilt and reopened to the public. Today, Qaisariah Market stands as a reminder of both local heritage and resilience.
