Rock formations

Rocks with different shapes and sizes give Mada'in Salih a charming beauty. I strongly felt that even without these human creative genius, Mada'in Salih would have been a queen of the desert.

The trip from Al Ula to Mada'in Salih is an unforgettable experience. Drive slowly and relish the whole panoramic view of the landscape

Sandstone

Mada'in Salih is distinguished by the unique formations of sandstone mountains. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock consisting of consolidated masses of sand deposited by moving water or by wind. The chemical constitution of sandstone is the same as that of sand; the rock is thus composed essentially of quartz. The cementing material that binds together the grains of sand is usually composed of silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide. The color of the rock is often determined largely by the cementing material, iron oxides causing a red or reddish-brown sandstone

Mada'in Salih is a well protected area and no one can enter the site without prior permission. Night stay is not permitted in the area and so the tourist has to leave the site before night fall.

Statue of a deity at the entrance of a tomb

Religion was central to ancient Arab civilization. It was a religion of many deities and the focus of each person's belief was, to a large extent, determined by the social and economic circumstances of his life. town dwellers, who were living on trade, revered the deities of the moon and the stars who they imagined guided the north bound caravans to them. Farmers and nomadic herders revered the deities of rain, thunder, and lightning, who they believed, were responsible for the bringing of rain to water their crops and bring forth pasturage for their flocks.