A 1500-year-old native tribe - built an ancient heritage city north of Riyadh.
Ancient City —Journey back to the early days of settlement in the old Najid region. The village's establishment, societal organization, and the advent of education are still apparent when you visit the Al Ushaiqer Heritage Village.
More than 1500 years ago, the native Bedouins identified a place perfect for settlement, offering the essential resources for survival: water for the community, animals, and plants, which were their food source. They established a school to meet the basic educational requirements of the village's children.
In its early days, Al Ushaiqer village served as an essential stop for travelers moving between the northern, southern, and southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia. Over time, it became a place where travelers could rest, eat, and refresh themselves. It is recognized as an oasis along the lengthy route for trade and religious pilgrimages to the Holy City of Makkah.
The Al Ushaiqer Heritage Village is an important cornerstone and landmark in the nation's cultural and heritage history. The villagers' craftsmanship, combined with their architectural and traditional engineering skills, is reflected in the iconic designs of the buildings, representing the structural ingenuity of the people in this region and across Saudi Arabia.
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They could build houses with one, two, or even up to three levels using mud, straw, wood, and leaves. The tight alleyways between blocks of homes and the walls separating the houses highlight the villagers' sense of community and closeness.
Some mud houses were preserved, while others were restored with cement and steel to reinforce their structures. However, the iconic designs required better balance. Some houses still display the owner's name or the names of past residents. Currently, the government is preparing to conserve these structures and ruins to uphold their historical significance and values.
Historic homes have been converted into lodging facilities. Visitors wishing to spend the night and enjoy warm hospitality in a historic environment can stay in a mud-structure building.
Al Ushaiger Heritage Village is located on the province's northwest side, 200 km from Riyadh's city center.
Things You Should Not Miss Seeing
Traditional Water Wells
1st Ushaiqer School
Museum
Dining Place
There is only one small eatery inside the Heritage Village and no other dining place nearby.
The eatery is open until 1:00 PM only. You need to be at the eatery before it closes.
It’s a self-service semi-buffet eatery.
After paying for the food at the counter, you must find a place to settle and eat.
Odd Thing about the Eatery
The cost of the foods you put on your plate is weighed at the paying counter.
You pay according to the weight of the foods you put on your plate.
It is best to bring your food packs
Road Condition
The road condition from Riyadh City to the heritage village is excellent
You can bring any car
Things To Bring
Food packs/ snacks
Water and drinks
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Acknowledgment & Special thanks to:
MR. KHALID AL RABIAH
MR. AL WALEED AL EISA
MR. ABDULLAH AL EISA
Tour Guide/Off-road & Mountain Drivers
Ghamra Adventures, Saudi Arabia
Contact No. +966555019341
Visit: https://ghamra.sa/
Acknowledgment to the other sources whom the author referred to for additional information:
Wikkipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najd
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