Iran - Imam Square Esfahan
Foto: The tombs of Madain Saleh (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Saudi_Arabia - This morning, we visit the magnificent tombs of the Nabataeans in Madain Saleh. Just before the start of the Common Era, the Nabataeans expanded trade routes from Petra in Jordan. In Hegra—the other name for Madain Saleh—they carved tombs with beautiful façades. From the visitor center, we take a bus to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site can only be visited with pre-booked tickets; there is no ticket sales on location. The bus enters through the southern gate, which is currently a temporary entrance. The northern gate, near the former train station, is being converted into a visitor center. The bus stops at a parking area, where we’re offered a drink. Asad warmly welcomes everyone in fluent English. He explains that during the tour, we’ll visit four sites. We walk to the first and most impressive tomb, Qasr Al-Farid. The morning sun shines from behind the rock into which the 21-meter-high façade has been carved. This tomb is one of Madain Saleh’s most famous because it stands isolated from the other tombs. Its height was intended as a symbol of wealth and social status. We then take the bus to the tombs of Qasr Al-Bint. One rock contains about 35 tombs carved into it. Some are grand and elaborately decorated, while others are simpler. In total, over a hundred tombs have been uncovered in Madain Saleh. It’s amazing to see the precision with which the façades were crafted. A short distance away lies Al-Siq, a natural narrow gorge that once served as the city’s entrance. We’re lucky—the sun is shining directly through the rock crevice, which only happens for two hours a day. In the gorge, small altars are carved in honor of Nabataean gods. There’s also a chamber with stone benches—possibly a gathering place. The tour ends at the “Palace Rock,” a formation with multiple tombs carved side by side into one massive rock. It’s beautiful to see these tombs lined up together.
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