Al Khalaf Village

Al Khalaf Village is a heritage village located in Sarat Abidah Governorate in Aseer Province, southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was built approximately five hundred years ago.

Al Khalaf Village is located 120 km from Abha City, the administrative capital of Aseer Province. The village spans an area of approximately ten km. The architecture of Al Khalaf is characterized by uniformity in its building styles and harmony with the surrounding agricultural fields, which balance with the built environment. The village features high palaces, tall ancient towers, the famous cave (Kharq Umm Khurmah), Al Matar Heritage Mosque, al-Qatfah Mosque, and circular reservoirs carved into the rock. Additionally, it houses the manually carved Barhah Well, also known as Bani Hilal Well, located in ad-Dhahr Village, with a depth of twenty m and water available year-round.

The urban styles of Al Khalaf Village are characterized by precision, durability, and the ability to withstand natural elements, as well as its spacious layout. The village consists of seventeen interconnected buildings, all with a single flat roof. It features streets designed as tunnels and winding alleys with side openings for lighting. This type of construction reflects a defensive style historically adopted by residents to provide security during wars. Most of the buildings in the village were constructed using locally sourced materials, primarily clay stone. The foundations were built with stone and layered structures (Madameek).

The roads in Al Khalaf Village reflect the defensive urban style of its houses. They are characterized by numerous streets, alleys, and long tunnels that crisscross the village, extending from north to south and east to west.

Al Khalaf Village joined the Heritage Villages Humanization Project in Aseer Province in 2020. This initiative, part of the urban landscape program, aims to develop several heritage villages, including al-Qurayyat in Tanumah Governorate and Al Yanfa’ Village in Tamanya Center. The project also involves illuminating seventy heritage villages and archaeological sites across the province.