Al-Hijr is an archaeological site located in the Hejaz region of the Arabian Peninsula, northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Al-Ula Governorate of the Medina region. In the past, it was called Al-Hajra, and it is the largest preserved site of the Nabatean civilization south of Petra in Jordan. It contains well-preserved huge tombs, whose decorated facades date back to the first century BC and the firsts century AD. The site is located 500 km southeast of Petra, and includes about 50 inscriptions from the preceding Nabatean era, and a number of cave drawings. The site of the stone bears a unique testimony to the Nabataean civilization. Its 111 colossal tombs (94 of which are decorated) and its water wells are exceptional examples of the architectural achievements of the Nabateans and their hydrological expertise.
