Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza - Al Ula

Tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza, also known as Qasr Al Farid or “The Lonely Castle”, is a well-known and iconic tomb in Mada’in Salih, Hegra in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. The structure is said to have been erected in the 1st century CE and is unmatched when it comes to ancient design and architecture. Moreover It was also the first Saudi site to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architecture

Despite its famous description as a ‘lonely castle’, the site is not at all a castle, rather it is designed entirely as a tomb. From the carvings and inscriptions inside the tomb you can tell a lot about the Nabataean culture.

The tomb is chiseled out of the rock from the top down which is an old Nabatean architectural technique and a major part of the Nabatean roots. A visit to this site offers great insight into the culture and religion of these ancient Arabic nomads. It offers a lesson that we can learn from the history of previous perished nations.

Even though the architecture of this tomb is unrivaled, it appears that the entire structure was never completed. Towards the base of the tomb, the craftsmanship is not as precise, which can be observed rather clearly. Still It is one of the most iconic places in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a place to reflect on the history and lessons we can learn from the past.