A tour of the murals in the old town of Al-Ula: Heritage and history
AlUla, the historical and tourist gem of Saudi Arabia, continues to amaze its visitors by offering unique experiences that blend the charm of the past with the allure of nature. At the heart of this cultural dynamism, the "Mural Art" tour in AlUla's Old Town as an exceptional experience, taking visitors on an immersive journey through time to explore the treasures of architectural and artistic heritage housed within the ancient mud-brick houses.
An exploratory journey deep into history
This tour offers a rare opportunity to delve into the details of daily life as lived by the people of AlUla for centuries. The journey begins with a "narrator," a local guide fluent in both Arabic and English, who leads participants through winding alleyways and past majestic mud-brick buildings. The tour is more than just a casual observation; it invites careful reading of the symbols and drawings adorning the walls of the houses, which served as a visual language expressing the community's identity and traditions.
Mural art: a living social record
The inscriptions and drawings covering the walls of the old town were not merely decorative or aesthetic elements, but rather served as a precise means of documenting social life. These murals reflect the details of important occasions, such as wedding ceremonies and seasonal celebrations, as well as documenting hunting trips and the relationship between people and their natural environment. They constitute a "visual chronicle" that preserved the stories of ancestors, conveying their feelings and aspirations through colors and geometric shapes inspired by AlUla's topography and flora.
The Old City: A Renewed World Heritage Site
To understand the significance of this tour, one must consider the historical context of the place. The old town of AlUla, dating back to the 12th century CE, is a unique example of Islamic architecture and ancient urban planning. Comprising over 900 houses and 400 shops built of mud and stone, it remained inhabited until the 1980s. Today, thanks to the efforts of the Royal Commission for AlUla, the town has been transformed into an open-air museum and has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of the world's top tourist destinations, thus giving international recognition to the importance of preserving its mural art.
Strengthening cultural identity and vision for the future
The mural art tour is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at preserving the Kingdom’s intangible heritage and raising awareness of its historical value. By highlighting this artistic dimension, AlUla is helping to connect new generations with their roots and present a distinguished cultural image to tourists from around the world. These efforts not only protect the murals from disappearing but also transform them into a source of artistic and cultural inspiration, thus enhancing AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for arts and heritage, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for developing the tourism and cultural sectors.
