aTP- Arab tourism portal- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with SCTH recently organized a tour for the heads of the diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, along with their family members to the archeological and historical sites in Al Ula municipality in the the Madina province.
Upon their arrival at Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Majeed Airport in Al Ula, the deligation was received by Al Ula Mayor, Mr. Saad Al Sehaimi along with the SCTH Director of local branch, Eng. Sultan Al Ghari, in addition to a number of local public officials.
Missions’ delegation firstly paid a visit to Al Hijir site (Madain Saleh), which is one of the most important archeological sites in the Kingdom, and the first Saudi site to join the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The visitors toured different parts Al Hijir before visiting Al Hejaz Railways Station, which has been rehabilitated by SCTH within the development project of Madain Saleh. Their visit also included the Levant Haj Route Museum at the Islamic Castle, Al Hejaz Railways Station Museum, the Visitor Center, and a number of other facilities within the site.
The delegation also visited Al Khoraiba archeological site, of which SCTH had completed its rehabilitation recently before visiting the Visitor Center, the museum that was established by SCTH, and it includes a number of archeological objects from the site.
Then the visitors were taken to the Heritage village in Al Ula where the members of the delegation saw the ongoing works in the site’s restoration and the rehabilitation of the village which are carried out by SCTH under the ‘Heritage Villages and Towns Development Program’. SCTH is cooperating in this with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and local communities.
In Al Ula Heritage Village the members of the delegation visited a number of sites including the Visitor Center which was established by SCTH at the village entrance, which reflects Al Ula’s local architectural style before visiting the Hamad bin Yonis Mosque, and the Elephant Rock which dates back to over 400 to 600 million years ago where the erosion factors through the ages made it look like an elephant.
Afterwards, a local folklore band performed a welcoming show for the members of the delegation including a horserace and presentation of horse riding skills.
The delegation during its tour in Al Ula was accompanied by the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for Protocol, Azam Al Yagin and the Ambassador of Republic of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia H.E. Deya Uldeen Bamkhrama, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Saudi Arabia.
