MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH
Popular Historical Places

Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the Islamic landmark in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, contains the most sacred places of Muslims - the Holy Mosque, the Kaabah and other ritual places. Makkah region consists of several Governorates such as Jiddah, At-Taif, Al-Qunfidhah, Al-Leith, Rabigh, Al-Jamoom, Khulais, Al-Kamil, Al-khurmah, Ranya and Turabah.
In addition to the Holy Kaabah and other sacred places, numerous monuments and historical landmarks of early Islamic era in the Makkah area records the struggle of the prophet Mohammad and his faithful companions during the period surrounding the birth of Islam. The important historic and archaeological sites in the Makkah area as follows:

	WADI FATIMA It begins from the mountain range of Arabian Shield north of Makkah and extended southwest to the plains of Tihama parallel to the coast of the Red Sea. A number of Palaeolithic sites are located in the wadi which could be attributed to the Acheulean period. The tools collected from the surface are hand axes, cleavers, choppers, and scrapers. Several Middle Paleolithic sites are also located in the Jiddah area.
	JABAL AL-RUDAIHA 20 km north of Jeddah this mountain contains a variety of human figures carved on the vertical surface of the hill about 6 m. above the ground level.
	JABAL AL-ARFA The outcrops of Jabal Al-Arfa are scattered at about 35km northeast of Taif and is one of the largest rock art sites in the region. Several human and animal figures such as deer, gazelles, ostriches, lion, cattle and other animal figures are depicted on small rocks scattered all along the hill area. The rock art could be attributed to the second millennium BC. Several Talmudic and Kufic inscriptions are also found in the area.
	ASH-SHUAIBA PORT It is situated about 50km south of Jiddah. Al-Kalbi wrote that it was the main port of the Arabian Peninsula before Islam. It is believed that the Caliph Uthman established the present Jeddah port in 26AH/616AD do receive the caravans of pilgrims.
	AS-SIRRAIN PORT This ancient port was once established at about 50km south of Al-Lith. Most of its remains and ruins are covered with sand. However, there is a large scatter of pottery shreds, glass pieces and other artifacts in the area. It dates back to 3rd century of Hijri.
	QARIYAT AL-MAADEN This small village in the south of At-Taif and was famous for its stone craft. Large quantities of steatite objects such as incense burners, bowls and grinding stones have been collected from the site.
	SUK OKAZ (OKAZ MARKET PLACE) It was one of the biggest and most famous market places before Islam and was considered as the center of poetry, politics, trade, social and cultural gatherings. It is located outside the city of At-Taif towards northeast on the highway to Ar-Riyadh.
	THALBAH DAM The dam was erected in a narrow wadi at about 7 km from At-Taif. It was built with square shaped stone blocks. The parallel walls were filled with pebbles and small rocks.
	AL SAMALLAQI DAM This dam is situated in the outskirts of Taif about 35km south of the city. It was built on the upper part of Wadi Liyyah. It is an old dam which might have been built even before the Islamic period. Early Arabic Kufic inscriptions are engraved on the rocks of the dam. Most of the dam is still very well preserved. It is 200 m long and 10m wide and represents a typical architectural and construction skill of the old Arabian tribes.
	SAYSAD DAM It lies in the southeast of At-Taif and was built on a natural water reservoir thus it is constructed in a different style from other dams. It was built with large rectangular shaped stone blocks. The wide wall was erected in a very symmetrical and organized manner. It is a famous dam which was built during the region of Ummayed Caliph Muawiyah Bin Abi Sufiyaan, whose name and date 58AH/677-678AD is engraved on the foundation stone.
	AL-LASAB DAM It was built in a Wadi east of the highway to Jeddah. The walls are wide and strong and built on an elevated area in the middle of 5 meter wide narrow stream of the wadi. There are remains of some abandoned houses besides the dam where early Islamic pottery shreds are discovered. In addition to the dams mentioned above, 34 other old dams are also located in the Taif area.
	BIRKAT AL-KHARABA It is one of the water reservoirs located on the famous Darb Zubaydah (Zubaydah pilgrimage route). It lies 95 km northeast of Al-Taif and consists of two reservoirs, one is circular and the other rectangular shaped. A canal carried water to both of them.
	BIRDAN AL-AQIQ It is a very big square shaped water reservoir with stairs on all its sides to collect water from it. It is an antiquarian land mark and main water reserves lies on the Zubaydah road and is located about 45 km northeast of the site of Al-Daraibah in Wadi Al-Aqiq. The site is slightly tilted to the west of Wadi Aqiq were numerous ruins, building structures and other facilities are situated on the western slop to be protected from the torrential rain. To the east of the wadi are located water reservoir, canals, and other living facilities. Darb Zubaydah track can be seen clearly here.
	UMMAD - DUMAIRAN It is located at about 1.5km northwest of the modern village of Salah which lies about 45km northeast of Makkah. The ruins are found on the slope of the hill facing northeast of Wadi Al-Yamania and southwest of Wadi ash-Shamiy. Umm Ad-Dumairan is considered as one of the biggest stations on the Darb Al -Zubaydah route. There are two water reservoirs, surface canals, under ground canals two forts and several other buildings.
	QASR SHUBRA This historic palace was built in 1325 AH. It is one of the important historic palaces of at - Taif area. It is unique in its architectural patterns and style and is one of the most important architectural heritages of Taif. It has been converted into a Museum for Antiquities and Ethnology.
	QASR AS-SAQQAF It is located in the city of Makkah Al-Mukarrama in Al-Maabda quarter on Al-Abtah Street it is one of the oldest buildings in Makkah and represents traditional architectural designs with unique Islamic artistic and decorative motifs. It is a huge building consisting of two floors. The main entrance door is located in the middle of the palace. There are also to sub-entrances besides the main door in the north. In the northeastern corner there is an annexation which is similar to a watch tower of a fort or defense tower in there are rectangular openings both for watching and firing.
	QASR KHOZAM A vast area in the an-Nuzlah Al-Yamaniyyah quarters is called Khozam. Several old palaces are located there. The name of Qasr Khozam has been adopted for the palace of King Abdul Aziz. The construction of the palace was started in 1347 AH and was completed in 1351 AH. The palace consists of two floors and an annexation. There are additional annexes to the south and west sides of the palace which combined together to form a single unit. It is surrounded by a 3 m high wall. The palace is built with stones brought from the coast. A part of the palace which was previously Diwan has been converted into a museum of archaeology and ethnology.
	NASSEF HOUSE This historic palace is situated in the heart of the old city of Jeddah. It was built at the end of 13th century Hijri / 1289 AD by Omar Afandi Naseef. It is a stone building of four floors. The facades of the palace consist of beautifully decorated wooden doors and windows and ventilations in addition to decorated gypsum motifs. Each floor consists of large and small rooms. The palace was considered as a unique example of architecture and decorations at that time.