Al Baha history

Foundation and Historical Roots

The history of Al Baha dates back to ancient times. Unlike many cities founded on a single master plan, this settlement formed organically over centuries. The region has traditionally been the home of the ancient Arabian tribes of Ghamid and Zahran. It was their settlements, uniting over time, that laid the foundation for the modern city. The earliest mentions of this area are linked to descriptions of the trade routes of ancient Arabia, where this region featured as an important transit point.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Al Baha from scattered villages into a significant administrative and cultural hub was driven by a unique combination of natural and strategic factors:

• Geography and Climate: The city is situated on the peaks of the Sarawat mountain range. Its high-altitude position ensured a mild climate and abundant rainfall, making this territory an oasis of fertility amidst the peninsula's desert landscapes.
• Strategic Location: Al Baha was located at the intersection of ancient pilgrimage and trade routes connecting Yemen with Makkah and Madinah, which facilitated a constant flow of goods and cultural exchange.
• Natural Defense: The complex mountain terrain served as reliable protection for the local inhabitants, allowing them to preserve their autonomy and way of life for centuries.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Al Baha was based on the ingenuity of the locals, who managed to adapt to mountain conditions. The foundation of life became terrace farming: mountain slopes were transformed into stepped gardens where grains, almonds, and the famous local pomegranates were grown.

A unique feature of the cultural landscape became the Qasbas — tall stone towers. Initially built for observing the surroundings and storing grain, they eventually evolved into an architectural symbol of the region, reflecting the skill of ancient builders and the tribal social structure, where every family sought to fortify and beautify their domains.

Major Historical Milestones

• 7th Century CE — The Ghamid and Zahran tribes accept Islam, and the region becomes part of the expanding Islamic world on the Arabian Peninsula.
• 16th Century — Establishment of nominal Ottoman suzerainty over the Hejaz, although the inaccessible mountain areas of Al Baha retain significant autonomy.
• Early 19th Century — Temporary inclusion of the region into the sphere of influence of the First Saudi State during its expansion.
• 1924–1925 — The Al Baha region peacefully joins the domains of King Abdulaziz Al Saud during the unification of the lands of the future Kingdom.
• 1932 — Following the official proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the city becomes part of the unified state.
• 1964 — Visit of King Saud to the region, marking the beginning of large-scale projects to modernize infrastructure and build roads in the mountains.
• 1982 — Opening of the Al Baha Regional Airport, connecting the high-altitude city with regular flights to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam.
• 1992 — A Royal Decree solidifies the modern administrative status of the province, with the city of Al Baha confirmed as its center.
• 2006 — Foundation of Al Baha University, which became the region's main educational and scientific center.
• 2016 — Inclusion of Al Baha in the national "Vision 2030" program as a key destination for the development of mountain and agro-tourism.
• 2022 — Launch of new initiatives for the restoration of historical villages and the development of festival culture to attract international tourists.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The modern appearance of Al Baha was formed through a series of key transformations that turned a group of mountain settlements into a developed administrative center. Below are the main milestones that defined the city's economic and urban development vector:

• Creation of a Modern Road Network (Aqabat)
  Construction of complex engineering structures — mountain roads and tunnels connecting the high-altitude part (Sarawat) with the coastal plain (Tihama).
  Significance: This broke the region's centuries-old isolation, multiplied trade turnover, and allowed for the creation of a unified economic space between the mountains and the coast.
• Opening of the Regional Airport (1982)
  Launch of regular air services with major cities of the Kingdom.
  Significance: The airport became a catalyst for business activity and opened the region to domestic tourism, making it accessible to residents of Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
• Establishment of the Municipality and Master Plan
  Unification of scattered villages into a single urban structure with centralized planning.
  Significance: The emergence of modern urban infrastructure: wide streets, parks, water supply systems, and electrification, which radically improved the population's quality of life.
• Foundation of Al Baha University (2006)
  Creation of a major higher education institution, including medical and scientific faculties.
  Significance: The university became a driver of cultural development, provided the region with qualified personnel, and reduced the migration of youth to metropolises.
• Development of Medical Infrastructure
  Construction of specialized hospitals, including the Cardiac Center and King Fahd Hospital.
  Significance: Transformation of the city into a regional healthcare hub, attracting patients from neighboring districts.
• Heritage Preservation Program
  State support for the restoration of historical villages (such as Thee Ain) and ancient Qasbas.
  Significance: Reimagining ancient architecture not as relics of the past, but as a primary tourism asset, which boosted the development of cultural tourism.
• Integration into "Vision 2030"
  Large-scale investments in recreational zones, such as the Raghadan Forest Park.
  Significance: Diversification of the city's economy with a focus on the hospitality industry and summer tourism, leveraging the advantages of the cool climate.

Architectural Eras and Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of Al Baha represents a contrasting combination of ancient mountain building traditions and modern urbanism. The city did not develop according to classical European canons, but rather by adapting to the complex terrain of the Sarawat mountains. Historically, settlements were built on hilltops for defense, whereas the modern city has descended into the valleys and plateaus, connecting scattered districts with a network of winding roads and tunnels.

Evolution of Styles and Eras

Two main periods can be clearly traced in Al Baha's development, each characterized by its own approach to construction and materials:

• Traditional Sarawat Style (until the mid-20th century):
  This is a unique vernacular architecture formed by conditions of isolation and the need for defense. Buildings were erected from local stone (granite and basalt) without the use of binding mortar (dry stone masonry) or with clay plaster.
  Characteristic features: Massive walls, narrow slit windows, the use of slate for cornices to protect walls from rain, and flat roofs. The dominant feature of this style is the multi-story watchtowers.
• Saudi Modernism (from the 1970s):
  The oil boom era brought reinforced concrete and modern technologies to the region. Mass construction of standardized housing, administrative complexes, and wide roads began.
  Characteristic features: Functionalism, simple geometric forms, panoramic glazing in commercial buildings, and the use of marble and tiles in finishing. In recent years, there has been a trend towards "neo-traditionalism" — stylizing modern concrete buildings to look antique using stone cladding.

Iconic Structures and Districts

The urban fabric of Al Baha forms around several key sites reflecting different stages of its history:

• Thee Ain Historical Village (Thee Ain):
  Although located some distance from the modern city center, it is the benchmark example of the region's traditional architecture. A complex of multi-story stone houses arranged like an amphitheater on the slope of a marble mountain demonstrates the pinnacle of engineering thought of local masters of the past.
• Qasbas (Watchtowers):
  Scattered across the outskirts and old districts of the city, these stone towers (qasaba) serve as a reminder of the tribal era. They were used as granaries and defensive points.
• Al Baha City Center:
  The modern core of the city with administrative buildings, markets (souqs), and mosques. Dense development in a modern Arab style prevails here.
• Al Baha University Complex:
  An example of modern institutional architecture, occupying a vast territory and serving as a new urban cluster with academic buildings and dormitories.

Historical Figures and Companions

• Abu Hurairah (Abd al-Rahman ibn Sakhr al-Dawsi)
  Companion of Prophet Muhammad, Keeper of Knowledge
  The greatest narrator of Hadith in Islamic history. Born and raised in the lands of the Daws tribe (modern Al Baha region). His contribution to preserving Islamic tradition makes him the most significant figure associated with this land.
• At-Tufayl ibn Amr ad-Dawsi
  Tribal Chief, Companion of the Prophet
  Known as "The Possessor of Light" (Dhu an-Nur). As the leader of the Daws tribe, he was the first to bring Islam to the Sarawat mountains, facilitating the peaceful conversion of the region's inhabitants even before the completion of the Prophet's mission in Makkah.
• Jundub ibn Kaab al-Ghamidi
  Military Commander, Companion
  A prominent representative of the Ghamid tribe who played an important role in the early Islamic conquests. He distinguished himself in the battles of Yarmouk and al-Qadisiyyah, demonstrating the martial valor of the Al Baha highlanders.

Legendary Poets and Ancient Rulers

• Ash-Shanfara (Thabit ibn Aws)
  Pre-Islamic Sa'luk Poet
  Author of the famous poem "Lamiyyat al-Arab," a masterpiece of ancient Arabic literature. He lived in the mountains of the region, celebrating the harsh nature, freedom, and code of honor of the outcasts in his verses.
• Malik ibn Fahm ad-Dawsi
  Ancient King and Commander
  A legendary leader who led the migration of part of the Azd tribes from the mountains of Al Baha to Oman and Iraq. Founder of the Tanukhid kingdom and the first Arab ruler to challenge Persian dominance in the region.
• Abu Zibyan al-Araj al-Ghamidi
  Knight and Poet
  One of the most famous warriors of pre-Islamic Arabia. His poems and exploits became part of the region's oral heritage, symbolizing the traditional bravery and eloquence of the local inhabitants.

Contemporary Figures

• Saad al-Ghamidi
  Quran Reciter, Imam
  One of the world's most renowned Quran reciters. He hails from the Al Baha region, representing its spiritual and cultural heritage on the international stage in the modern era.