One of the largest traditional villages of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has an incredibly rich architecture heritage with dozens of styles throughout the whole country. Each region has its own architectural characteristics. That of Riyadh Province is the Najdi style with brilliant examples like Dir'iyah and Ushaiger.
Located 250 kilometers from the capital city Riyadh and close to Qassim Province is one of the largest and best conserved traditional villages of Saudi Arabia, Al-Ghat. Located on the northern bank of the Wadi Al-Ghat the heritage village stretches over 1,5 kilometers.
An ancient oasis
The valley where the town lies is fed by rain water running down the nearby the Jebel Tuwaiq, the same escarpment that has the famous Edge of the World close to Riyadh.
Prehistoric tools shown at the Al-Ghat Museum prove that for millennia the inhabitants of Al-Ghat have exploited that available water. Testimony to human efforts to benefit from the water resources are the dams and wells that are still visible.
Old well at Al-Ghat (photo: Florent Egal)
The regular presence of water in Al-Ghat made its soil fertile and still today many farms produce delicious dates that make the city proud.
A brilliant example of Najdi architecture
One of the most special features of Al-Ghat is the gentle slope of the valley on which part of the town is built. Each street going up the hill leads you to many fascinating viewpoints over the town and its elegant architecture.
Al-Ghat Heritage Village (photo: Florent Egal)
The main street that runs along the wadi bed will bring you to the iconic buildings of Al-Ghat: arriving from the east (where the modern city is) you will see the triangular shapes of the arches of the old souq on your left. On your right is the Ousherza mosque. To the eastern side of the old town stands the impressive Emara Palace that is now a museum.
Souq of Al-Ghat (photo: Florent Egal)
This museum used to be the palace of the late Prince Nasser bin Saad Al-Sudairy. It was donated to highlight Al Ghat's social life and history throughout the ages and the contribution of its residents in the foundation of the Saudi State.
The museum exhibits Paleolithic tools and petroglyphs found in and around Al Ghat, traditional agriculture, clothing and crafts, the ‘jussah’ - the room set aside for the preservation of dates, and traditional hunting methods using guns, dogs and falcons. The governors of the village were appointed by the King. Several British explorers passed through Al Ghat, including William Gifford Palgrave;
Al-Ghat Museum (photo: Florent Egal)
How to visit Al-Ghat
Al-Ghat is accessible by road and the location of the heritage village, as well as the most important buildings, are available on Google Maps. It is possible to drive through the town and parking areas allow visitors to leave their cars and walk through the old streets.
Gate of Al-Ghat (photo: Florent Egal)
