Faid Historic City: A Significant Tourist Destination with a Rich Past

During a recent tour of the Faid Historic City, east of Hail, Saudi Tourism Minister Mr. Ahmed Al-Khateeb and his deputy, Her Highness Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, saw the archaeological museum’s holdings.

The archaeological finds provide a window into past civilisations and richly tell the region’s history.

The minister emphasised during the visit how the museum, which houses a unique collection of archaeological artefacts and inscriptions that recount ancient stories, is a place that helps to promote tourism in Hail. He went on to say that the interest in this location demonstrates the Kingdom’s endeavours to protect its cultural legacy and grow the travel industry, which draws travellers from all over the world.

The Minister of Tourism also highlighted that this visit is part of the Ministry’s development strategy, which aims to meet all the requirements for growing and bolstering the tourism industry in all parts of the Kingdom, including Hail. The Minister highlighted the promising opportunities Hail has, which make it eligible to become one of the Kingdom’s most popular tourist destinations.

His Excellency The Minister also expressed gratitude to His Highness the Emir of the Hail Region for his unwavering support of the travel and tourism industry, which helps the Kingdom realise its Vision 2030.

Faid: A Historical Gem

Situated in the southeast of the Hail region, the city of Faid is one of the most notable archaeological sites in Hail, having maintained a prominent position from pre-Islamic times until the start of the Islamic era. The city is home to numerous monuments and inscriptions that adorn the mountain facades, some of which are more than 1,300 years old.

Thanks to the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities, it enabled an exploration journey that uncovered priceless historical treasures. Until recently, the mediaeval city of Faid was only a collection of deserted remains, dotted with stones and some buried walls.

This old city came back to life after researchers found a sizable collection of ancient archaeological sites. According to some archaeologists, the Qarmatians raided the city in the ninth century AD, destroying Faid and causing it to disappear, causing it to dwindle and eventually go extinct.

According to historical accounts, the city of Faid held a prominent place during the Abbasid era, ranking third in importance after Baghdad and Mecca due to its strategic location along the traditional Hajj route. The revival of the Hajj route contributed to Faid’s prosperity.

As an open marketplace where pilgrims would pause and restock on goods for their journey, the “Capital of the Road” was Faid’s epithet at the time and was on par with the cities of Kufa and Basra in terms of size and significance.

Numerous historians, including Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta, as well as several Western travellers, have written about the ancient city of Faid, demonstrating its cultural significance and historical significance at the time. Faid is still a fascinating place to explore and still embraces those old memories today.

The Historic City of Faid’s Treasures

Faid consists of the remains of a massive palace and some buildings that resemble old halls. A museum close to the city requires a permit from the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities to enter the entire site; tourists only can enter the museum without authorisation.

A vast amount of archaeological artefacts, the majority of which are from the Islamic era, were discovered during the Antiquities Authority’s excavations. From gold and silver coins from the Abbasid dynasty to several types of Chinese porcelain and pottery, as well as ceramic vessels of all sizes, the finds were remarkably varied.

Along with decorative tools, mixing powders, lanterns, and lighting lamps, a collection of copper items and tableware, including pots, spoons, pitchers, and cups, as well as artistic pieces made of soapstone and ivory that were characterised by their intricate geometric patterns and glittering decorations, were also found.

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Faid Archaeological Landmarks

The fort wall, which stretches 115 meters from east to west, is one of the city’s most notable features. Three semicircular towers inside this fort support the wall from the outside, and its thick walls, which exceed two meters in depth, are what set it apart.

This historical property has a unique character because of the five distinct architectural units that surround the wall on the northern side. These components include an entrance, a courtyard, and two rooms.

One of the city’s most significant finds is the archaeological palace in Kharash. Its construction involved the use of black stones and measured 80 by 130 meters. A collection of round and semi-circular towers that guard the city’s ruler’s palace are part of its defensive design.

Regarding the residential city with old houses, it has over a hundred architectural pieces that serve as the foundation for structures with a long history. As evidence of an old well shows up on the surface, this city is harmonious with an integrated architecture with water infrastructure.

The foundations of the buildings stretch from the western edge of the residential city to the fort in the east on the northern bank of Wadi Faid, while the remnants of a massive building can be seen on the northern side. The residences of the locals are primarily located on the western side of the ancient city, where historical tales may be found around every corner.

In addition, the city is notable for having over 45 historic wells from the early Islamic era, some of which are still in use today for crop irrigation. The three most significant of these wells are Al-Hamra, Al-Khaymah, and Al-Khawima.

Other Notable Pools in the Region

The city’s proximity to the Zubaydah Pools is part of the old water legacy. The canal that connects these two pools—one square and the other rectangular—crosses the surface of the earth.

These ponds used to be an essential source of water for the locals, who utilised it to irrigate their crops and feed their cattle. Other notable pools are Al-Saqiya Pool, Al-Shifa Pool, and Al-Huwaid Pool, in addition to Zubaydah Pools.

In summary, the ancient city of Faid continues to narrate its stories to this day, serving as a link between heritage and tourism as well as the past and present. Because of its archaeological sites and the variety of civilisations it contains, it is a popular destination for travellers from all over the world who want to take an exciting trip through time.

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