Historical Document | Heritage Arabia

Archives of Legacy

Exploring Saudi Arabia's Historical Documents

Historical Document Saudi Arabia

Welcome to the Archives of Legacy, a curated collection of historical documents that unveils the pages of Saudi Arabia's past. This digital repository is a testament to the enduring narratives that have shaped the nation, offering a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of its history. Dive into a treasure trove of manuscripts, letters, and official records that chronicle pivotal moments, cultural milestones, and the evolution of Saudi society. Our carefully curated collection spans epochs, providing a comprehensive overview of the Kingdom's historical journey.

Immerse yourself in the elegance of calligraphy, the authenticity of ancient scripts, and the significance of historical artifacts that have weathered the sands of time. Each document is a chapter in the unfolding story of Saudi Arabia, offering insights into the lives of its people, the triumphs of its leaders, and the cultural nuances that define its identity.

This virtual archive is not merely a collection of documents; it's a window into the past, inviting researchers, historians, and enthusiasts to explore, analyze, and appreciate the invaluable heritage preserved within these pages. Uncover the untold stories, trace the footsteps of the past, and witness the remarkable journey that has shaped the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Join us in this digital expedition through the Archives of Legacy, where history comes to life, and the echoes of the past resonate with the present.

Let's Dive Into Some Heritage Sites!

Kaaba Prayer & Pilgrimage

Kaaba (Prayer & Pilgrimage)

Pilgrimage to a holy site is a core principle of almost all faiths. The Kaaba, meaning cube in Arabic, is a square building, elegantly draped in a silk and cotton veil. Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, it is the holiest shrine in Islam. In Islam, Muslims pray five times a day and after 624 C.E., these prayers were directed towards Mecca and the Kaaba rather than Jerusalem; this direction (or qibla in Arabic), is marked in all mosques and enables the faithful to know in what direction they should pray. The Qur'an established the direction of prayer.

Medina Prayer & Pilgrimage

Medina (Prayer & Pilgrimage)

According to traditional Islamic belief, in Muhammad's last years in Mecca, a delegation from Medina from its twelve important clans invited him as a neutral outsider to serve as the chief arbitrator for the entire community. There had been fighting in Medina involving mainly its pagan and Jewish inhabitants for around 100 years before 620. The recurring slaughters and disagreements over the resulting claims, especially after the Battle of Bu'ath in which all the clans had been involved, made it obvious to them that the tribal conceptions of blood feud and an eye for an eye were no longer workable unless there was one man with the authority to adjudicate in disputed cases.

Hegra Archaeological Site (Al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ)

Hegra Archaeological Site

The Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr bears a unique testimony to Nabataean civilization. With its 111 monumental tombs, 94 of which are decorated, and water wells, the site is an outstanding example of the Nabataeans' architectural accomplishment and hydraulic expertise.

Al-Ahsa Oasis An Evolving Cultural Landscape

Al-Ahsa Oasis

In the eastern Arabian Peninsula, the Al-Ahsa Oasis is a serial property comprising gardens, canals, springs, wells and a drainage lake, as well as historical buildings, urban fabric and archaeological sites. They represent traces of continued human settlement in the Gulf region from the Neolithic to the present, as can be seen from remaining historic fortresses, mosques, wells, canals and other water management systems. With its 2.5 million date palms, it is the largest oasis in the world. Al-Ahsa is also a unique geocultural landscape and an exceptional example of human interaction with the environment.

At-Turaif District Ad-Dir'iyah

At-Turaif District (Ad-Dir'iyah)

This property was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, north-west of Riyadh. Founded in the 15th century, it bears witness to the Najdi architectural style, which is specific to the centre of the Arabian peninsula. In the 18th and early 19th century, its political and religious role increased, and the citadel at at-Turaif became the centre of the temporal power of the House of Saud and the spread of the Salafiyya reform inside the Muslim religion. The property includes the remains of many palaces and an urban ensemble built on the edge of the ad-Dir'iyah oasis.

Historic Jeddah The Gate to Makkah