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Architecture of AlUla
A deeper look into AlUla’s most remarkable man-made wonders
A visit to AlUla offers travellers a chance to embark on an authentic and inspiring journey, taking you back in time and surrounding you with ancient natural and man-made wonders that inspire a sense of discovery. You will also be left in awe by the region’s more recent architectural marvels, which seamlessly blend with their surroundings, encapsulating and reflecting the land’s unadulterated beauty and history.
At the centre of it all is AlUla's Old Town, nestled in the narrowest stretch of AlUla valley and shadowed by the AlUla Fort, a 45-metre-high red sandstone structure. This ancient settlement dates back to the 12th century and was once situated on historic trade routes, welcoming pilgrims and sparking agricultural innovations that have sculpted the county’s rich identity over the centuries.
Old Town’s architecture, crafted from materials such as mudbrick, date palm wood, and stone blocks, stands as a testament to the artistry of the ancients. The town features an interconnected labyrinth of alleyways, with over 900 identified properties, and five town squares or rahbas, offering a glimpse into a community that was designed with fortification in mind.
Another architectural wonder that has quickly become an iconic landmark is Maraya, the magnificently mirrored structure in AlUla’s Ashar Valley that seems to disappear into the surrounding sandstone cliffs. A multi-purpose venue for concerts, events and conferences, Maraya — meaning ‘mirror’ in Arabic — is the largest mirrored building in the world and is a piece of art in itself. It is made up of 9,740 square meters or 3,000 panes of specially tempered glass mirrors that clad the cube-shaped structure.
Architect Florian Boje of Milan-based architecture studio Gio Forma, who designed the structure, intended for Maraya’s reflections to give a deep sense of the connection of human heritage with nature.
Looking to stimulate and celebrate the region’s creativity is the Design Space AlUla. Located in the heart of the AlJadidah Arts District, the space explores and engages with practices from around the world filtered through the lens of AlUla’s cultural and natural landscapes, which is also reflected in the centre’s design.
The building’s intricate exterior is inspired by traditional breeze block patterns that are commonly seen across AlJadidah, creating a dynamic repeating pattern that celebrates Arab heritage. The striking, unmistakable design reinforces the ethos of the space as a hub for learning, dreaming, investigating, collaborating, experimenting, making and sharing – with the ultimate goal of fuelling creative exploration and collaboration in the field of design.
Covering 1,500 square kilometres, the beautiful Sharaan Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Soon to be located deep within this reserve, the upcoming Sharaan Resort by Jean Nouvel will be a world-first ‘masterpiece’ resort hidden within the rock dwellings of AlUla and potentially changing the face of architectural creativity.
The resort is set to be a vivid sensory and emotional journey through time, that draws on the nearby Nabataean wonders of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Architect Jean Nouvel describes resort as the coming together of a landscape and history and invites travellers to embark on a journey within every detail of his designs, from the permanent feel of the rocks to the soft comfort of the armchairs, sofa, and seats.
Other future projects that will meld visionary architecture and cultural exploration are the Museum of the Incense Road and the Contemporary Art Museum. Beirut-born architect Lina Ghotmeh from Paris will design the Contemporary Art Museum and Asif Khan from the United Kingdom the Museum of the Incense Road, both of which are part of the 15-strong constellation of cultural assets that will serve as landmarks across each district in AlUla.
The two remarkable museums are set to redefine the cultural landscape of AlUla and reinforce its status as one of the biggest development projects in the world. Here, creativity continues to thrive, and with AlUla’s growth comes the promise of a wealth of exciting architects yet to be announced and the excitement of a burgeoning design hub.
Get to know the stories behind the experiences and iconic locations in AlUla. A global network of travel writers have scratched beneath the surface to bring to life all aspects of the destination