Places to Visit in Najran

Najran’s history can be traced back to over 4000 years when the Romans conquered the city. In ancient times the city was known by the name of Al Ukhdood. Najran was the center point of the Incense Trade Route. Najran was home to ancient Christian and Jewish communities. During the Islamic period, the Christians signed the Najran pact with the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in the 7th century. With this pact, they got a protected status (dhimmi) in the new Muslim territories. Najran also used to be the Yemeni center of cloth making. The Kiswah (cloth of the Holy Ka’aba used to be made in this area known for its garment industry. Najran became part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after signing a treaty in 1924.

Al Ukhdood archaeological site contains the remains of one of the oldest cities in the world. Dated back to over 2000 years, this site has also been mentioned in the Quran in the Surah Al-Burooj. Al-Ukhdood is believed to be the place where a Jewish Himyarite king burnt alive a group of devout Christians for refusing to accept Judaism. The famous site near Najran includes various artifacts and carvings that depict a horse, a camel, snakes, and a human hand. The remains of a mosque have also been found here and ongoing excavation of the site continues to discover more archeological treasures from the site. 

Hima Wells is another major attraction of Najran. Hima contains over 34 different sites that include inscriptions on rocks and water wells. These wells are dated to be over 3000 years old are were a core source of water for the Najran desert region. They used to serve the ancient caravan routes for trade and pilgrimage and surprisingly some of these wells even continue to provide fresh water even today. Hima has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Najran Valley Dam is a gorgeous arch dam located about 15 km to the southwest of Najran city. It serves the important functions of water storage, groundwater recharge, and flood control. Being one of the largest dams in Saudi Arabia, it is a good spot for sightseeing. The Emarah Palace is now open to the public and also contains a museum that tells visitors about the history of the place. This palace was built in 1944 after the province became a part of the Kingdom. The site was known for an ancient well before this. With its abundant area of 625 square meters and 65 rooms, the palace not only housed the governor and his staff but also the police and postal services. Other popular attractions of the city include the Ra'um Castle and the As-Safa park.