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Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Asir region is known for its ancient heritage palaces, such as Al Asabelah Heritage Palaces. Many of these palaces have turned into attractive tourist destinations that combine historical and cultural richness with economic activity.

This, in turn, provides thousands of job opportunities during summer, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

In Al Namas Governorate, 150 km north of Abha, Al Asabelah Heritage Palaces stand out in the heart of the central area of Al Namas. After the Chairman of Asir Region Development Authority, Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, launched the palaces activities, they have become a tourist attraction for hundreds of visitors and residents each day.

The tour inside the Asabelah Heritage Palaces starts with shopping at the corners dedicated for traditional clothing, antique, and souvenirs, which represent Asir’s heritage and arts.

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

After that, visitors enjoy their coffee and other hot drinks at the Palaces yard before embarking on a tour inside the Abis Palace, which has been renovated to receive visitors.

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Speaking to SPA, Saleh Al-Shahri, a tour guide, said that the Palaces served as headquarters for many governmental bodies in the early days of the Saudi era, as well as venues for national occasions.

He added that the Palaces’ owners undertook the initiative of renovation to make the Palaces a tourist and cultural destination, in line with Saudi Arabia’s approach to promote domestic tourism as part of its Vision 2030.

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Asabelah Palaces: Where Heritage Meets Architectural Art

Al Namas is a heritage site that includes several heritage palaces, such as Abis, Meshrif, Thurban and Kharif. Their heights range between two and three stories, reflecting the traditional architectural style of Asir Region.

Additionally, the Palaces contain 60 rooms, with a total space of 5,000 square meters. The buildings were adorned with white limestone, extracted from local ‘maroo’ stone. They were roofed with wood, palm fronds, and juniper bark. The interior walls were coated with a mixture of gypsum and clay.

Al Namas has several archeological sites dating back to different eras. The most prominent among them is Al-Jahwa Village, located east of Al Namas. The Governorate also contains Islamic inscriptions in mountains called “Al-Sijin,” “Al-Gharamah,” “Dhu Al-Ayn,” “Ajma” and “Qarn Al-Ghala.”

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