Category Archives for "Eastern Province"

Door of Al-Uqair Fort (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Uqair

The gateway to Al-Ahsa from the Arabian Gulf

Located 70 kilometers from Al-Hofuf in the Al-Ahsa region, the port of Uqair is testimony to the historical importance of the area as a gateway to the Al-Ahsa region from the Arabian Gulf. If the currently visible remains are more than 300 years old and were built during the Ottoman period, the occupation of Al-Uqair Bay as a port dates back at least to the Islamic era.

View on the Arabian Gulf from the rooftop of the Uqair Fort (photo: Florent Egal)

View on the Arabian Gulf from the rooftop of the Uqair Fort (photo: Florent Egal)

The complex of Al-Uqair is organised in three main ensembles: the port, the fort, and the accommodation. Al-Uqair is also a beach located 25 kilometers north of the fort.

The port and warehouse

The facilities of the port are fenced but still clearly visible.  They comprise the buildings that used to host the administration offices and the warehouse where goods were stored before being shipped out or sold to the nearby souq. The main building is finely decorated and is a good example of a mix Saudi and Ottoman architectural features.

Al-Uqair's old port facilities (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Uqair's old port facilities (photo: Florent Egal)

The old fort and souq

The main fortification of Al-Uqair comprises buildings for accommodation and offices and also a large courtyard that is accessible via a gate and a passage that runs through the main building. Once past this gate visitors discover the 120 by 55 meter large courtyard surrounded by the protective walls.

Al-Uqar Fort's courtyard (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Uqar Fort's courtyard (photo: Florent Egal)

Along the northwestern and northeastern walls are two ranges of columns where the shops of the old souq used to sell their products. The rooftop has today disappeared but dozens of columns still with capitals are create a beautiful gallery that helps the visitor imagine the merchants surrounded by their products, scents and spices of the orient.

Al-Uqair old market (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Uqair old market (photo: Florent Egal)

The accomodation

Built in the same compound than the fort is a series of rooms and a mosque where the inhabitants of Uqair fort used to live and pray. It is in this part of the complex that we find the most beautifully decorated features, with mouldings of Arabic and Ottoman styles. Some of the doors are even crowned by colourful stained glass that is quite rare in the Arabian Peninsula.

Mosque of the Al-'Uqair Fort (photo: Florent Egal)

Mosque of the Al-'Uqair Fort (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Uqair beach

25 kilometers north of the Fort is  Al-Uqair beach that presents an usual feature with Colosseum-like modern constructions that were built on the beach just 100 meters from the sea. These structures offer viewpoints and much needed shade when temperatures rise above 40°C. Small concrete fancy structures are also built along the shore in order to provide shade and privacy to the visitors. It is important to remember that as per local regulations strict dressing code is expected, even on a public beach.

Al-Uqair beach (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Uqair beach (photo: Florent Egal)

How to visit Al-Uqair

The location of Al-Uqair is available on Google Maps under the name Al Uqayr. The access is only by road, mainly from Al-Hofuf and Dhahran.

Guides providing visits to Al-Uqair:

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Al-Hofuf Oasis (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Hofuf

​The largest oasis in the world

Al-Hofuf is the urban center of the Al-Ahsa region located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It hosts some of the most important typical features of the Eastern Province with the largest oasis in the world, the Jebel Al-Qarah and historical landmarks.

​Mystery of the origins

No ancient remains have been discovered in the city itself although it is possible that such remains existed but have been covered by the urbanisation of the oasis. It is believed that Al-Hofuf and the whole region of Al-Ahsa were part of the ancient land of Dilmun that is referred to in Mesopotamian texts. Also, there is speculation about  Al-Hofuf being the ancient city-state of Gerrha mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabo as having "fancy tools made out of gold and silver, such as the family gold, right triangles, and their drinking glass, let alone their large homes which have their doors, walls, roofs filled with colours, gold, silver, and holy stones". Additionally, some scholars believe that Gerrha is the archeological site of Thaj located 200 kilometers north of Al-Hofuf.

The recent history is clearer as the area came under Ottoman rule in the 18th century and was peacefully returned to Saudi rule by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud in 1913 CE.

​Al-Koot, the historical center

The heart of Al-Hofuf is in the area called Al-Koot where some of the oldest buildings are found, including the Ibrahim Fort and Mosque, the old house of the governor, and the Al-Qaisariah souq.

​The Al-Mulla House

The Al-Mulla house was built in 1203 H (1787-88 CE) by the Governor of Al-Ahsa, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Mullah. This house witnessed the advent of the peaceful conquest of Al-Ahsa by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud on 5th May 1913 when the governor of the city pledged allegiance to the new ruler of Arabia. Its style shows an elegant mix of Arabian and Ottoman architectural elements. The house has been restored and some of its original furniture is exhibited today, including the bed where the King Abdulaziz rested during his stay in Al-Hofuf.

Al-Mulla House (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Mulla House (photo: Florent Egal)

​Ibrahim ​Palace

The Ibrahim Palace (Qasr Ibrahim) is the most visible landmark in Al-Hofuf as it is the old fortified area of the city. Its 100 meter long walls surround an area of 16,500 square meters that hosts a white mosque whose dome and minaret rise above the walls. It is believed the fortified place was built by Al-Jabreen, a ruler of Al-Ahsa during the 15th century. 

Ibrahim mosque and fort (photo: Florent Egal)

Ibrahim mosque and fort (photo: Florent Egal)

Ibrahim mosque (photo: Florent Egal)

Ibrahim mosque (photo: Florent Egal)

​Al-Qaisariah Souq

Al-Koot historical center hosts one of the most beautiful souqs of Saudi Arabia, Al-Qaisariah.

 Located along King Abdulaziz street it is easily accessible. Its massive gate is one of the most beautiful testimonies of the Othman style in the Arabian Peninsula.

Al-Qasariah Souq (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Qasariah Souq (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Qaisariah Souq (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Qaisariah Souq (photo: Florent Egal)

In its gallery are displayed the elegant traditional middle-eastern clothes and the air is a mix of the enchanting scents of the orient. The Souq Al-Qaisariah offers visitors one of the most authentic middle-eastern experiences.

​Jebel Al-Qarah, Lands of Civilizations

The city of Al-Hofuf hosts a natural landmark, a limestone massif that overlooks the surrounding endless extent of palm trees of the oasis. On the massif's sides are natural limestone pillars that create surreal landscapes where a path was built to ease the way towards the main feature, a deep cave created by the erosion. Inside the air is cool, a ray of sunlight comes from the top of the cave whose narrow corridors reveal the shades of the limestone highlighted by low lights.

Al-Qarah Cave (photo: Florent Egal)

Al-Qarah Cave (photo: Florent Egal)

There is a welcome area with facilities including restaurants and an exhibition about the ancient civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle-Esat.

Land of Civilizations (photo: Florent Egal)

Land of Civilizations (photo: Florent Egal)

​How to visit Al-Hofuf

The city of Al-Hofuf appears on Google Maps along with a couple of points of interest.

​The city is easily reachable by car (3.5 hours from Riyadh and 1.5 hours from Dammam), by plane thanks to its domestic airport, and even by train from Riyadh and Dammam.

​To make the most of a visit to Al-Hofuf we advise you to use a guide who will know the hidden treasures of this area.

Guides providing tours to Al-Hofuf