Jouf
is Saudi Arabia's northern gateway, linking Syria and Iraq with the Arabia peninsula. It is
the cradle of the Nabatean and Assyrian cultures. Jouf's region covers an area of 58425
square kilometers, ranging from plateaux to valleys and fertile plains. The provincial
capital is Skaka, the seat of the Governor, the local council and branches of various
governmental departments. Skaka city is located at the northern tip of the Greater Nufud
desert, spreading over an area of 27 square kilometers. The history of Skaka dates back
more than 5000 years. The numerous Arab archeological monuments of the city's past. The
city of Skaka is famous for its hand-woven carpet industry. To the west of Skaka is the
city of Domat Al Jandal, with its numerous orchards and agricultural fields, which are
surrounded by high mountainous slopes. Domat Al Jandal is famous for the manufacture of
swords, daggers and carpets. The region also produces large amounts of wheat and has
230,000 date palms.
Jouf is one of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's richest regions in terms of antiquities.
Archaeological monuments include:
1. The Za'abal fortress, which was built in the 7th Century
BC.
2. Al Sa'ee Hill, which resembles the Palmgric-type of
fortress. It has stone pillars known as Al Rajajeel (men), so named because they resemble
the shape of a group of men. They date to the 4th century BC.
3. The Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque in Domat al Jandal. It
was built in the 17 Hijri year when the Caliph Omar was on his way to Bait Al Maqdis.
4. Marid Fortress which is 2000 ft. high and dates to 2000
BC.
5. Taima City, situated 264 kilometers to the southeast of
Tabouk city. Its most ancient inscriptions date to the Assyrian era. Taima was mentioned
in cuneiform writing during the era of the last Babylonian King who built a palace in
Taima similar to his palace in Babylon. Taima is surrounded on three sides by an
archeological perimeter wall which protected it against invaders. It was built in the 6th
century BC during the era of King nepotein.
6. The Al Hamra palace, on the city's western side, dates
to the 7th Century BC.
7. Al Ablaq palace is located on the southwestern side of
the old city and is surrounded by a high fence linked to the city's perimeter wall.
