The town of Raghbah is 120 km northwest of Riyadh en route Huraimila and 18 km south of Thadeq. This old town was said to be very fertile with abundant rainfall and was established in the year 1669. Raghbah has its historical significance in many perspectives. Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud's declaration to support "the call for returning to the basics of Islam" (Ad Da'wa As Salafia) of Sheikh Mohammad Ibn Abdul Wahab in 1744 has been considered a historic event in Najd and the Arabian Peninsula. The people of Raghbah joined Sheikh Mohammad Ibn Abdul Wahab's movement in 1750 which provoked the people of Sudair and Al Washm, who with Al Zufair marched to Raghbah in 1751 and besieged it. It was the first in the Mahmal region to join the Da'awa.

This town was one of the targets during the invasion of Nejd by Turks in the year 1817 under the command of Ibraheem Pasha. Castles of Raghbah were destroyed by Turks during the chaos.

For the route to Raghbah, please proceed to the last page of this section

Raghbah and the Desire

The word Raghbah means "to desire" or "willingness". It has other meanings as well based on the way it is pronounced. This aerial view of a portion of the old town of Raghbah is from Al Marqab Tower. I owe this trip to my ex-colleague, Mr. Naif Al Sinan, whose family of Al-Sinan was one of the major families of Raghbah.

Al Marqab Tower

This observation tower is one of the famous ruins of Najd in terms of historical magnitude and architectural greatness. Made of cylindrical stones, mud and bricks, this 22 meter high tower was built by the people of Raghbah with the expertise of Ibraheem Ibn Salama as recorded. The spiral staircase can take you to the top of the tower where the diameter is less than a meter. Two persons can hardly stand at the top. The blowing of the wind is so scary at the top that one feels like the tower is swinging.

Architecturally, the tower has 6 parts in different heights. It has small windows for lighting and ventilation

If Raghbah is in your itinerary, you should not miss to climb to the top of this tower.

Al Tali'i Mosque

Al Hazm Quarter has two mosques and Al Tali'i is one of them. The mosque has a small courtyard and stairs to its roof and to the underground praying halls

Interior of the At Tali'i mosque, lit by the rays of the sun.