Visit ArabiaHistory
The old town grew up near the ancient town of Qurh, when its inhabitants moved here around the year 1200 (World History Encyclopedia). Historians and travellers mention it from the 12th to the 20th century (Saudipedia).
It lay on the pilgrimage route that ran from Damascus to Mecca. Pilgrims stopped here.
The houses are joined to one another. They form a wall, like a fortress. Narrow, covered lanes run between them. According to Saudipedia, there are about 900 mud-brick houses, five squares and 400 shops. People entered through 14 gates, opened in the morning and closed in the evening.
Above the village stands the fort of Musa ibn Nusayr. It is about 45 metres high. It is mentioned from around the 10th century (experiencealula.com).
On the central square stands the Tantora, a sundial in the shape of a pyramid. Its shadow was used to mark the start of winter, the farming seasons and the sharing of water among the farmers (Saudipedia).
The inhabitants left the old town at the end of the 20th century (World History Encyclopedia).
Visiting
According to experiencealula.com, access is free. Opening hours of the shops and sites: to be checked on site.What is certain and what is not
- Certain: the town was inhabited from the 12th to the 20th century, on the Syrian pilgrimage route.
- Certain: about 900 houses, 400 shops, 5 squares and 14 gates (Saudipedia).
- Historians' account: the fort is mentioned from around the 10th century. It bears the name of Musa ibn Nusayr, but no source consulted proves a direct link with this figure.
Sources
1. Saudipedia, AlUla Old Town. https://saudipedia.com/en/alula-old-town
2. Experience AlUla (RCU), AlUla Old Town. https://www.experiencealula.com/en/places-to-go/alula-old-town
3. World History Encyclopedia (supplementary), Fiona Richards, “Dadan, Tayma, Khaybar, Qurh & Old Town AlUla”, 2025. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2850/dadan-tayma-khaybar-qurh--old-town-alula/