Province
|
The Buildings of Najran
| Traditional adobe and brick architectural styles in Najran are called midmakh buildings. They are very distinctive and reflect the influence of Yemeni design in the Province |
 |
The buildings are made up of several stories. The lowest level is given over to livestock and can be without windows. The next level is for human habitation, and have small windows to keep out intruders. As you go up the building, the windows get larger to let in more light and air. Often these houses are clustered together around a central courtyard, so that members of the same family can live together.
These traditional buildings are still seen in many towns and villages, with some buildings well maintained (or restored) while others are deteriorating.
Some of these buildings are estimated to be several hundred years old. The greatest concentration are amid the palm trees of the Al-Gabel district north of the museum where you'll find Mahdah houses and Be'ir Al-Mishwaf.
Fortunately, there seems to be considerable interest by some Najran residents to preserve their traditional homes - often modernising them for current life styles.
The Historic Amarah Palace, built in 1362H (1942) and recently restored, provides an ideal opportunity to learn about the history of the province in the last 100 years or so of the Saudi State. It is a beautiful adobe building with distinctive Najrani features including white washed windows and crown-like battlements around the top.
The four-storied, privately-owned Al'an Palace has been well restored and makes a pleasing example of the local style of architecture. Although it's not open to the public, the views from the surrounding area are excellent, and worth a visit - as are the abandoned school buildings in Al-Lijam.
Other sites for interesting buildings include:
Abu Al-Saud (Old Town).
Al-Aslab village - A village of 12 houses in good condition.
Al-Gabel - The oldest and best traditional village in Najran city. It includes Mahdah houses and Bi'r Al-Mishwaf.
Al-Haija village - A small village and mosque, surrounded by farms.
Al-Hamiah village - Around 10 houses, mostly abandoned, surrounded by farms.
Al-Hasha Quarter - Around 10 abandoned houses in a farm area.
Beit Migshat - Houses for Al-Shaiban and Al-Hattab, still occupied.
Al-Jadeda village.
Al-Lejam - Includes Al-Mohammadiyah school and several mud houses, some of which are 400 years old.
Al-Reeshan Quarter - A number of old houses and palaces, many of them derelict, surrounded by farms.
Al-Sewar Quarter - Around 10 houses.
Al-Balhareth palaces - 25 plus houses, 35% of which are ruined and the others are in good condition.
Bi'r Al-Mishwaf bin Al-Husain - 7 buildings set in an agricultural area, surrounded by a mud wall.
Bir Baraka - Around 30 houses surrounded by farms.
Bi'r Jubair - Mud houses built for Al-Marghan and Al-Sulaiman.
Bir Ka'ab bin Al-Hareth - A well in farmland, with several traditional houses nearby.
Beit Al-Shraija - Two groups of houses, each surrounded by a wall with watchtowers.
Beit Migshat - Houses for Al-Shaiban and Al-Hattab which are still occupied.
Dahnah - 8 buildings set in farming landscape.
Hadan village - Farms and houses, and some wells.
Al-Majma village - Some spectacular buildings including Qas'r Bin Hadran and Qas'r Al-Mansour.
Al-Maratah - A settlement of traditional and some new houses sitting below Ala'n Palace.
Dahda village - Some 40 palaces and towers, including Qas'r Al-Sugoor which was recently restored.
Bi'r Sheja - 8 buildings, up to 5 stories high. Qas'r Bin Jahdan is particularly important |
|
|
