Al-Midhnab Traditional Village is a traditional village located in al-Midhnab Governorate in Qassim Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its establishment dates back to approximately seven hundred years. It has been restored to become one of the distinctive heritage sites in the region. The village serves as a living model and lasting witness to the Najdi urban and residential planning that was prevalent in the past.
The traditional village was expanded and renovated in 2017 to host the Cultural Heritage Village Festival, which featured cultural and artistic activities in six sections of the village.
Heritage sites in al-Midhnab Village
Al-Midhnab Heritage Village includes several notable heritage sites, such as Ibn Dakhil School, established in 1895 and located on the southern side of the village square, which still retains its original structure. Adjacent to the school is the city jail, used to punish wrongdoers by the judge of al-Midhnab during that period. Ghailan House, built in 1812, served as the courthouse at that time. Bahla Fort, constructed in the sixteenth century, has two doors, both located on the northwestern side, facing the mosque. Additionally, there is Souk al-Majlis, situated east of Bahla Fort. Bahla Fort is connected to the mosque by an eight-m-wide street.
Souq al-Majlis welcomes visitors, taking them on a historical journey through shops offering handmade crafts produced by local residents. The market hosts daily auctions for antique items such as cooking and serving utensils used in the past, artifacts and incense burners, a grain and coffee grinder known locally as 'al-Raha', and ancient household tools. Additionally, it showcases traditional occupations like farming and methods of water transportation from wells.
The village also includes a square surrounded by thirty-three shops, which served as markets for al-Midhnab for over 150 years. These shops have now become places to sell antique items, with vendors displaying more than five thousand artifacts. Additionally, there is another square surrounding the heritage village from all sides, and a well from which water was extracted using al-Sawani, an ancient tool for drawing water from wells.
Awards received by al-Midhnab Traditional Village
Al-Midhnab Traditional Village received the Prince Sultan Bin Salman Award for Urban Heritage as the first fully operational heritage city without modern material reconstruction or intervention.
Al-Midhnab Traditional Village offers a comprehensive local experience by hosting seasonal festivals that vividly depict the Qassim's heritage and rich past. These festivals feature live performances of folkloric dances and traditional arts, as well as live demonstrations of traditional practices in preparing dishes and serving traditional dishes by the women of the province.
Events and festivals in al-Midhnab Traditional Village
Al-Midhnab Heritage Village hosts various events and festivals. In 2017, the Tourism Development Committee of al-Midhnab Governorate launched the Heritage Village Festival, featuring six sections: an event and children's stage, old Sawani, traditional games, productive families, and a mural. Additionally, the festival includes a free drawing studio, museums within the traditional market, heritage exhibitions in the village, and a model showcasing the past and present.
On May 23, 2022, the Heritage Commission opened several heritage sites in Qassim Province to the public, including al-Midhnab Traditional Village. This initiative is part of the Heritage Commission's efforts to enhance community engagement with national heritage, both tangible and intangible, and to raise awareness of its cultural and historical significance.
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