Located in Tabuk, Hijaz Railway Station was built almost a century ago to take Muslim pilgrims from Damascus to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina but ended in ruins less than two decades after its start. It has become a famous tourist attraction and was recently declared a UNESCO world heritage site in Tabuk.
History
The railway created a link between Constantinople and the Hijaz region in Saudi Arabia; however, sections of the railway line were attacked during the First World War, and the station was reduced to ruins. By 1920, the railway track had been completely abandoned.
Attractions in the Railway Station
The line’s largest stations are accessible from Medina and Tabuk. The stations have been restored for tourists, who can now visit and find out more about this railway's brief and poignant history. A museum was also recently constructed near the station in Al-Hijr to preserve the history and attract more tourists.
Inside the station, you will find artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs that tell stories of an era that is long gone. The station in northern Tabuk houses an old model locomotive and freight car.
A trip around the railway station does not take much time; however, the timings of the museum vary due to COVID restrictions, which is why it is best to confirm beforehand if the site is open for visitors or not.
