Al-Diriyah - Saudi Arabia

If there was a prize for the best postcrosser, I'd nominate Claus. He proved to be a very nice person in many occasions and this last time he was even more than nice. A couple of months ago he tagged me on a 2 favorites tag but the cards never arrived. He resent the cards but for some inexplicable reason these ones didn't arrive either. I told him it was necessary to resend them once again but he insisted. This time he sent the envelope by registered mail and the cards finally arrived. He didn't have more copies of the cards he tagged me for but I'm more than happy with the cards he sent. This one is from a missing UNESCO site in Saudi Arabia "At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah" and the other one is a german tentative site. How nice of him is this?? Thank you so much!!

Al-Diriyah is a town in Saudi Arabia located on the north-western outskirts of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Diriyah was the original home of the Saudi royal family, and served as the capital of the Emirate of Diriyah under the first Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. 

Founded in the 15th century, it bears witness to the Najdi architectural style, which is specific to the centre of the Arabian peninsula. 

The Turaif district in Diriyah was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

© By Najada

Saad bin Saud Palace is the biggest remaining Palace in Old Diriyyah today. It was renovated with careful study of the materials used when it was built originally. Diriyyah Palace is a true example of traditional architecture of Najd by using sun-dried mud-brick for walls and tamarisk beams for roofs. Its wooden doors are decorated with beautiful patterns, strengthened by heavy iron nails and bars. - in: http://www.splendidarabia.com/destinations/riyadh-province/old-diriyyah-palace/

Medina - Saudi Arabia

This is my 3rd card from Saudi Arabia. It shows Al-Masjid al-Nabawī, often called the Prophet's Mosque,  built by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad situated in the city of Medina. 

Medina is the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, it is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca.

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam and this mosque is the second holiest site. It was the second mosque built in history and is now one of the largest mosques in the world. After an expansion during the reign of al-Walid I, it also now incorporates the site of the final resting place of Muhammad.

The site was originally adjacent to Muhammad's house; he settled there after his Hijra (emigration) to Medina in 622. He shared in the heavy work of construction. The original mosque was an open-air building. The basic plan of the building has been adopted in the building of other mosques throughout the world.

The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school.

One of the most notable features of the site is the Green Dome in the south-east corner of the mosque, originally Aisha's house,[2] where the tomb of Muhammad is located. In 1279 AD, a wooden cupola was built over the tomb which was later rebuilt and renovated multiple times in late 15th century and once in 1817. The dome was first painted green in 1837, and later became known as the Green Dome.

The mosque is located in what was traditionally the center of Medina, with many hotels and old markets nearby. It is a major pilgrimage site. Many pilgrims who perform the Hajj go on to Medina to visit the mosque and the Prophet. The mosque is open for service 24/7, all year round. - in: wikipedia

Al-Hijr Archaeological Site - Saudi Arabia

This is my 2nd card from Saudi Arabia and my 1st Unesco site from there. The Al-Hijr Archaeological Site was added to the Unesco WHS list in 2008.

The card was sent by Claus.  

7 © NAJADA Riyadh

The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr bears a unique testimony to Nabataean civilization. With its 111 monumental tombs, 94 of which are decorated, and water wells, the site is an outstanding example of the Nabataeans’ architectural accomplishment and hydraulic expertise. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1293

Country #100

I got my country number 100 this week, a card writen and stamped from..... Saudi Arabia :) Thanks Ganesh.

This is a viw of the Souda Mountain in the Asir Region, located in the southwest of the country.