The Old Town (Al-Ula)
البلدة القديمة (العلا) | |
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Coordinates: 26°37′N 37°55′E / 26.617°N 37.917°E | |
Country | Saudi Arabia |
region | al-Madinah |
The Old Town is an archaeological site near al-Ula, Medina Province, Saudi Arabia.[1] It is known as the Dira (Arabic: دِيرَة, romanized: dīra, lit. 'town'). Inside the Deira are ancient heritage buildings, mosques(masjid), and markets, dating back about seven centuries.[2] This town is 22 kilometres (14 mi) away from Hegra.[3] The heritage town looks like a single building due to the crowding of its 870 residential units. These units are separated by narrow and winding alleys. The town is divided into two districts: al-Shugaig in the north and al-Haf in the south.[4]