Places to Visit in The Al Jawf Province

Al Jawf province may very well be the oldest inhabited place in the Arabian peninsula. Traces of ancient civilizations like the Acheulean civilization have been found all over the region. The area remained constantly populated throughout the Stone Age as well as the Copper Age. Archeologists discovered a site near Shuhitia that dates back to the ancient Stone Age. Flint tools and pottery found near the Rajajil columns indicated that the site belonged to the Copper Age. Quite recently, many sites on the edge of the Nafud desert were dated and found to have been established during the Middle Stone Age.

Al Jawf has held great strategic importance throughout history due to the fact that it was a key location on the ancient Incense Road. The Incense Trade Route consisted of major land and sea trading routes that established a link between the Mediterranean world and the eastern and southern sources of incense, spices, and other luxury goods. This network stretched from the Mediterranean ports across the Levant, Egypt, and Northeastern Africa and stretched towards the Arabian peninsula and onwards towards India and beyond. Assyrians held this region for quite some time until the fall of the Assyrian Kingdom. The region also saw the influence of the Babylonian Empire followed by the kingdom of Qidar. 

In the Islamic period, the city of Dumat al-Jandal was invaded by the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) in 5 Hijri. Later on, the city saw also fought battles against the armies of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Fast forward to the modern history of the region, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed the Amman agreement with the Kingdom of Jordan to establish the boundaries of the region.

There is no shortage of historical architectural attractions in the Al Jawf province. One of the top tourist destinations is Marid Castle. Located in the south of Dumat-al-Jandal city, the historic military castle dates back to the first century AD. It is situated on a hilltop at a height of around 600 meters above sea level. It takes roughly 30 minutes to climb the twisting, 1000 step stairway that leads to the castle. 

Dumat Al Jandal Lake is a natural wonder of the region. It is the only lake in Saudi Arabia and has become a popular tourist hotspot for trekking, jet skiing, and other water sports. Being situated in the middle of a desert gives this lake some unique, unmatched views.