British Crown Prince Charles visits Madain Saleh and a number of historic sites in Al Ula
Almasalla, ATP News-His Royal Highness Prince Charles, British Crown Prince, (Wednesday 11 February), paid a visit to Madain Saleh and touring a number of archeological and heritage sites in Al Ula municipality.
The Prince of Wales is currently on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz President of SCTA. his visit to Al Ula falls under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz (may Allah protect him) regarding informing him on the important archeological and heritage sites in the Kingdom.
Upon his arrival at Al Ula Airport, Prince Charles was received by HRH President of SCTA, along with HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman, Governor of Al Madinah, who is Chairman of Al Madinah Tourism Development Council in addition to Al Madina Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Taher, and Al Ula Mayor, Mr. Saad Al Sehaimi.
Prince Charles toured a number of archeological and heritage sites in Al Ula municipality. During his tour was accompanied by SCTA President, and Al Madina Governor, Prince Turki Al Faisal, and Prince Mohammad bin Nawaf, and Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United Kingdom.
Prince Charles firstly visited Al Khoraiba archeological site, which is under excavation works in collaboration with King Saudi University. The site has been recently rehabilitated and developed by SCTA.
Prince Charles briefed on archeological excavations in the site. Then visited site Visitor Center and museum which was established by SCTA and displaying a number of archeological objects.
Afterwards, Prince Charles visited Al Hijir site (Madain Saleh), which is considered one of the most important archeological sites in the Kingdom and the Saudi first site to join UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Prince Charles toured Madain Saleh site and acquainted with its monuments before visiting Al Hejaz Railway Station in Al Hijir, which was rehabilitated under the Rehabilitation and Development Project of Madain Saleh.
Prince Charles’ tour in Al Ula included the Levant Haj Route Museum in the Islamic Castle in addition to Al Hejaz Railway Museum, Visitor Center, and a number of historic facilities.
Prince Charles also briefed on SCTA’s exerted efforts in rehabilitation and provision of necessary infrastructure into the site, and briefed on excavation works that are carried out by Saudi-French archeological mission and viewing a number of mission discovered relics.
Prince Charles accompanied by SCTA President and Al Madina Governor, then headed to Al Ula heritage village, where he has been briefed on restoration works that are carried out by SCTA under Heritage Towns and Villages Development Program in which participating the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and local communities.
Also he visited the Visitor Center at village entrance which was established by SCTA to serve village visitors which reflects Al Ula architectural style.
At the end of his visit, Prince Charles attended heritage events and folklore shows held in his honor by local residents and briefed on residents’ voluntary initiatives in restoration of a number of heritage houses and on a number of local people who presented their houses for being utilized in rehabilitation works after realizing their expected economic benefits and role in creating job opportunities to local people
