Holy cities, World Heritage Sites, and Coral Reefs
The Madinah province is located on the western side of Saudi Arabia along the coast of the Red Sea. The Holy City of Madinah is the capital of this Province. The Province of Madinah holds great historical and religious importance. Containing one of The Two Holiest Cities for Muslims, Madinah has no shortage of holy sites. The City is centered around Masjid An Nabawi.
The Prophet Muhammad, Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him (PBUH) constructed this Blessed Mosque with his own hands. It is also the place where the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is buried. During the time of the Prophet (PBUH), Masjid An Nabawi served as the religious, educational, and political center for the Islamic Empire. The Province also contains important cities like Yanbu, Al Ula, Badr, and Khaybar.
Al Ula holds the distinction of containing the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of the country. This site, known as Mada'in Saleh or Hegra is an interesting archeological site that dates back to the Nabatean kingdom. It is often also associated with being the location of the Thamudi people upon whom the Prophet Salih (AS) was sent. According to Quran, the Thamud people were idol worshipers and were punished by an earthquake and lightning due to their idolatry. Mada'in Saleh is located 20km north of the city of Al Ula.
Yanbu is the second largest port city on the Red Sea after Jeddah. It also happens to be one of the oldest seaports on the Red Sea. It serves as the major port for the Holy City of Madinah. Yanbu not only plays an important role in the economy of the country but also holds historical importance for being a major port for receiving pilgrims. Yanbu has a natural harbor and offers some great views of the Red Sea. It has wide coral reefs that remain largely unspoiled. This area is great for water activities like scuba diving, fishing, and birdwatching.