The magnificent city built upon the rocks is a short description I could give as my eyes were awed by this ancient architectural masterpiece.
Close shot to the ancient city shows the rocks of the mountain ridge where the houses were built.
Rooftop shot of the houses at the lower level of the ancient city.
Far shot of the city shows the constructions of the houses layered from the mountain ridge shoulder to the top where the watch tower/balcony is erected.
QUICK FACTS
Year Built: 8th Century
Location: Al Makhwah Governorate, Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia
Distance from Baha City: 25 Kilometer
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Thee Ain Village is the ancient city located at the Al Makhwah, Al Baha province. Its unique attributes are old houses built from a flake of stones constructed in a mountain of rocks. A puzzling architectural feat by ancient people without the use of the machine and modern construction tools.
Walking around the ancient city, I could not help but keep wondering how the people by that period could come up with the design of constructing concrete houses on top of the rock.
Were the concepts made by engineers and architects in our generations today, no wonder because of the school because of the education we have today, and construction completed in this modern time, won’t be a surprise with the use of the monster machines we have today. But 8th Century, what tools did they use to build a magnificent city in an unimaginable place to construct a structure?
Stairway and passage down going to unit of houses/rooms inside the city.
Window facing the valley and mountain fronting the
Watch tower/balcony at the lower level of the city
What to Expect
1. Enjoy driving on a scenic zig-zag road winding down from Baha City to Thee Ain
2. Experience walking in an ancient city built by an ancient civilization
3. Discover the architectural craftsmanship of the people way back 8th Century
4. Get puzzled by the structures built manually without the aid of the machines we have these days.
5. Scenic sights of mountains surrounding the ancient city
6. Encounter with wild monkeys is possible
7. Listening to the sound of birds chirping all around
8. Feel the breeze of the desert winds
9. Expect that you may find yourself standing in the middle of the fogs.
10. Low temperature during winters
11. The moderate temperature during summers
Coming to the ancient city is traveling along the 25 km long winding down zig-zag road with numbers of tunnel to pass through.
Balcony and viewing tower at the lower level of the ancient city and on the background the mountain facing the city.
Banana and dates plant at the foot of the hill where the ancient city is located.
Access to the ancient city from the zig-zag road.
What to Bring
1. Drinking waters and snacks. As you roam around and climb the upper area of the ancient city, for sure, you will get thirsty and hungry—no nearby shop near the area. During my visit, the kiosks at the parking area were closed since Ramadan season, so I am not sure snacks and drinks are available in those kiosks. So better to bring your own.
2. Jackets during winter seasons
3. Headlamps or flashlights to use in the rooms and basements when you enter them.
4. Camera to capture the memory.
Parking area
How to get to the place
The Al Baha or Bahah City is the main take-off point. This city is accessible by air and land transportation. It has an airport catering to tourists from other places. Flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam are all I know to service the passenger coming to Al Baha. You may ask your travel agents about the availability of the flights.
Travel by Land (to Bahah City)
1. From Riyadh
Private car: 9-10 hours
Public Transport: 13 hours
2. From Jeddah
Private Car 5 hours
3. From Taif
Private car: 2 hours 30 min
Public Transport 3 hours
4. From Abha
Private Car 4 hr & 30 min to 5 hours
Where to Stay
Hotels and lodging accommodations are in Baha City
The author taking selfie from the top level of city. On the background are the bananas and dates
plant below the city. At the far end is a village.
Rooftops and stairway climbing to the upper level
The parking with eye shape landscape symbolizes the name of the city; Ain (Eye)