Athleb Mountain
Athleb Mountain is a natural rocky outcrop located in AlUla Governorate, in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Province, to the east of the archaeological site of Hegra (Mada'in Salih) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is part of AlUla mountain range, known for its diverse colors and formations.
Geological nature of Athleb Mountain
Athleb Mountain consists of sandstone, which has been shaped by erosion into mountain faults and gullies. It is surrounded by sand dunes and can be accessed via a narrow passage known as Al-Siq. It is a tourist landmark in AlUla Governorate and Saudi Arabia in general, attracting nature enthusiasts and visitors interested in exploring archaeological sites.
Contents
Athleb Mountain contains several architectural features, including the Diwan, located north of the mountain. It was constructed as an open-air theater amid the natural landscape and terrain of Hegra. Carved into the rock in the form of a large hall, its façade is flanked by two columns, and its interior contains three raised platforms. The Diwan is believed to have served as a meeting place, a council chamber for elders, or a ceremonial hall. It is characterized by its moderate temperatures and remains shaded for most of the day, as its north-facing façade prevents direct sunlight from entering.
Athleb Mountain also contains ancient mosques and temples. Inscriptions indicate that sacred places of worship were designated as mosques. The mountain is renowned for its carved temples and niches. The Nabataeans performed religious rituals in temples located at the summit, which were accessed by carved stairways, such as the Qasr al-Ajuz Temple. The niches are scattered in front of the Diwan courtyard, along the Al-Siq passage, beside the valley, and at the summit of the mountain.
The mountain also contains water reservoirs and channels. The Nabataeans mastered the construction of underground wells and channels to connect water sources. They carved reservoirs into the rocks and directed rainwater into them through channels cut into the mountain. Approximately 130 wells have been discovered at the site.
Tombs
Athleb Mountain contains tombs located in the eastern part of Hegra. It is the highest mountain at the site and overlooks a wide surrounding area. It is believed to have served as a lookout post overlooking the trade route, based on the large number of Lihyanite inscriptions discovered there, alongside ancient Arabic inscriptions, including Lihyanite, Thamudic, Nabataean, and inscriptions dating to the Islamic period.
Athleb resort
Located adjacent to Athleb Mountain, Athleb Desert Resort is a tourism project covering an area of 50,000 m². It comprises fifty independent residential villas offering privacy, in addition to a separate two-story building containing approximately sixty rooms.
The foundation stone for the project was laid in 2015, following the signing of an investment agreement between the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (formerly), as the landowner, and a tourism company that was granted a 45-year investment term for the project.