Rijal Almaa Village

Rujal Almaa Village is one of the most prominent heritage sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is located in Rujal Almaa Governorate, which belongs to the Asir region, specifically within Tihamah Asir. The village is scattered across the mountain slopes, interspersed with smaller villages and farms, and looks over valleys, giving it a unique natural character.

The village is notable for being the former capital of the Haly Emirate during the time of Musa Al-Kinani in 732 AH, giving its architectural and urban history a span of over 700 years. The village consists of more than 60 heritage buildings constructed with local stone, wood, and mud, representing a unique model of mountain architecture in the southern Arabian Peninsula.

The adjacent buildings include cohesive neighborhoods such as Zur, Al-Hiyamah, Al-Manadhir, Al-Hafiah, Al-Kadah, and Aslah. Some of its buildings consist of 3 to 5 floors, known as “Fortresses” with each floor representing an independent residential unit.

The village is rich in meticulous decorative and architectural details, reflecting the skill of local artisans who excelled in constructing the fortresses. The most prominent of these include Al-Riyadh Fortress, Razih Fortress, Al Jaber Fortress, Al Mismar Fortress, and Al Hawwat Fortress.

The village mosque includes a roofed section in its front façade, followed by an open courtyard locally known as Al-Souh, with its eastern and western sides covered by wooden roofs. The mosque also comprises a southern annex used for holding meetings, receiving guests, and hosting pilgrims, locally known as Al-Mināzalah.