Nestled between the majestic mountains of Asir region lies the small town of Rijal Almaa, known for its rich pre-Islamic and Islamic history.
This small, cozy town is an hour’s drive away from the more vibrant and popular city of Abha in the region.
It houses the Rijal Almaa Heritage Village, a cordoned section of the city comprising about 900-year-old multi-story houses that are all connected and stacked together.
The structure has been meticulously preserved by national authorities with the help of locals.
My partner and I visited the village on a hot May morning as per our itinerary after navigating tight, steep mountain curves that had us uttering prayers at every turn and questioning our decision to visit the heritage site.
It was about 2 p.m by the time we reached the site and there was not a person in sight, probably due to the intense heat.
Yet, the site that greeted us made the trip worthwhile. The view of the ancient stone, mud and brick houses with their small windows framed just on top with uncut white quartz in neat geometric patterns looked simple yet breathtakingly beautiful.
We took a few minutes to soak in the view before heading to the visitor’s center, where we we were cordially greeted by the staff, who guided us through a series of display boards highlighting the region’s history in both Arabic and English.
We were then ushered into a theater that screened a short film showcasing Asir’s art, culture, heritage and architecture.
And then, for a nominal fee of SR20 ($5.30), we were given access to the heritage site and the multi-story museum within it that had on display an impressive collection of ancient cooking, hunting and farming tools, as well as arms and jewelry — all carved from heavy stones or metals.
We explored the rest of the site and were awed by how some sections, despite the outside heat, were cooler due to the architecture, an ode to traditional ingenuity.
The size of the colorful windows and doors were really small; at just five feet tall I had to duck a little to enter some spaces.
From the top level, we enjoyed panoramic views of the town and the rugged mountains, dotted with old dilapidated structures at vantage points and terraced farmlands that offered a glimpse of the life in the region centuries ago.
Rijal Almaa Heritage Village is a place well worth visiting for those interested in history and culture. In my view, an ideal time to visit would be the winter months when cultural shows bring the site to life.
