The charming little stone village of Dhee Ayn, also known as Aqabat al-Baha, is home to four centuries of history. Located in the western region of Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz province, some 20 kilometers from Al Baha city, this stunning settlement sits on a gleaming rocky hill, giving off a white glow, its location and overall appearance the reason many refer to Dhee Ayn as the Marble Village.
Explore the Marble Village of Dhee Ayn's narrow pathways and marvel at its architecture. Visit our website to learn more about this 400-year-old heritage site: https://t.co/wRFr5eLQuv#Saudi #Summer pic.twitter.com/Cq2PqaayT9
— Visit Saudi (@VisitSaudiNow) August 3, 2020
The houses themselves, constructed of darker slates than the surrounding rock, made unusually; constructed from flat stones arranged on top of one another, giving the village its iconic appearance of having risen from the depths of the earth. Adding to the dramatic scene are the stunning mountains that stand above the village and the lush greenery below, further accentuating the Marble Village.
#ExploreArabia The Marble Village of Dhee Ayn, #Baha region, is a 400 year-old stone settlement built on top of a white marble hill. It is named after a spring that runs through it to the fruit orchards at the base of the hill. It is one of the #KSA’s most eye-catching sites. pic.twitter.com/3lcU5i9sER
— Paola Di Prospero (@PaoladiProspero) June 4, 2019
Walking through the settlement’s narrow paths, you will come across buildings of various heights, ranging from two to seven floors. There are also several mosques and sites that once functioned as marketplaces. The village itself has no inhabitants for the last 30 to 40 years now, adding to its charm and a key reason visitors continue to flock to the site. The larger province of Al Baha in which Dhee Ayn is located is known as the region of 1001 towers, all now abandoned as well but originally built to protect villages, roads, and plantations from rivalling tribes.
More and more wonders of The Kingdom , Dhee Ayn Village in Al Baha City South of Saudi Arabiapic.twitter.com/E2TnNBPYpy
— The Saudi Gate (@TheSaudiGate) April 5, 2019
The view from Dhee Ayn is as memorable as the village itself, offering vistas of the Sarawat Mountain range. Dhee Ayn gets its name from the ayn – spring in Arabic – that runs through it to the lush greenery at the base of the hill on which the village sits on. Below is a diversity of dense vegetation, primarily banana plantations, palm trees, and other native flora. From history to architecture, geography to nature, there is so much to see when visiting this historic village.
