Al-Khabra Historical Village

Al-Khabra Historical Village is one of the urban heritage sites in Riyadh al-Khabra Governorate, in Qassim Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is located on the northern bank of Wadi Rumah, about sixty km from Buraydah city. Its area is approximately eighty thousand m². It was named al-Khabra because it used to be a marsh where rainwater overflowed from Wadi Rumah. It was known in ancient times as 'Khabra al-Jal', while in the pre-Islamic era, it was called 'Khabra al-Sidr' and 'Khabra al-Majader'.

The history of al-Khabra Historical Village dates back to 1703 when it was described as an impregnable fortress. The village contained four hundred mud houses built in various sizes. However, the houses were demolished forty years ago due to floods, and it was restored by al-Khabra Municipality in Qassim in collaboration with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (formerly).

Al-Khabra Historical Village features mud buildings with one or two floors, one circular mosque, and numerous commercial shops adjacent to the mosque, totaling fifty-nine. There is a large square in the center of the town, surrounded by neighborhoods of the village, where an open market is held every Friday making al-Khabra village a well-known market in the past.

The village also contains four gates: al-Qibli Gate on the western side, Makkah Gate on the southern side, al-Mahmal/Unayzah Gate on the eastern side, and Kirkuk/al-Sha'fa Gate on the northern side. It has four streets: Qubbat al-Omr Street, Qubbat al-Nowaisir Street, Qubbat al-Sulhah Street, and Qubbat al-Sabit Street. All four streets converge at al-Majlis, located at the heart of al-Khabra with a diameter of eighty m. Al-Majlis is designated for buying and selling, accommodating fifty-two shops, while the remaining streets are narrower.

Al-Khabra Historical Village has several archaeological sites, including two watchtowers from the remains of 'al-Aqdah' wall on the eastern side, and a tower located on the northern side. Additionally, there is Qasr al-Nowaisir House with its two parts, al-Uwayridi House, and al-Ohli Shop located in the center of the town.

'Me'eiat al-Khabra' Festival is held in al-Khabra Historical Village. It has been held for years in the historical village to revive one of the agricultural seasons, which is the wheat harvesting and selling season, for which al-Khabra is famous. Additionally, various activities and events related to holidays and national occasions are held.