Located on the high mountains of Asir, Rijal Almaa Heritage Village is a success story many cities in the province and beyond are trying to replicate. A tourist attraction for nearly 30 years, over 50,000 visitors head for the village every year to enjoy the mesmerizing and breath-taking scenes of the region. With clay-made floors and traditional wooden windows, buildings in the village are surrounded by trees, roses and flowers, rare in the otherwise hot climate of the Kingdom, and can be reached by road or by cable cars that connect to the village. Al-Riyadh profiles the village, which is also the capital of Rijal Almaa governorate. Development The village has undergone several development projects and today has a 615-square-meter theater that can accommodate over 1,000 people and small stores selling fresh produce and gifts. All multiple-floor palaces — there are around 60 of them — were restored by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, which continues to spend millions to turn the village into a destination à la international tourist spots. All alleyways were renovated with new streetlights erected to reflect the beauty of the village and enhance its status as the top destination for tourists visiting Asir. The commission is working on digging water canals in some parts of the village to add to its beauty. Archeological importance The village is considered to be one of the most significant archeological sites in the Arabian Peninsula due to its unique architecture and interior design, adorned with lively colors. All houses in the village are narrow and at least two stories tall. A centrally located museum in the village showcases ancient tools, weapons and manuscripts, which make up over 2,000 artifacts on display. The museum was established in 1985 by locals who wanted to save the rich heritage of their region. All the artifacts, including vintage weapons, which are on display at the museum were donated by locals. Local women played a pivotal role in designing and restoring the museum. The museum's interior was designed by longtime resident Fatima Ali Abu Qahas. Women also donated their old silver ornaments to the museum. The village is the number one destination for anyone who wants to combine fun with adventure and relish natural scenery. One major attraction in the village is an ancient palace whose walls have engravings and decorations made by the women of the village. From the top balcony of the palace, one can see the entire village. Like most buildings in the village, the palace wooden chairs and windows and palm-tree mats, a reflection of ancient traditions. Entrance fee is SR10 for adults and SR5 for children.
