AlUla, iconic oasis in the the province of Medina,
in northwestern Saudi Arabia bult on a site that corresponds to the Dadan of
the Bible which was in ancient times the capital of the Kingdom of Lihyan on
the Incense Route with the governorate contains containing the first UNESCO
World Heritage site in the Arab country called Hegra also known as Al Mada’in
Saleh, ancient walled city built more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabateans
has obtained the prestigious DarkSky Park certification from the renowned
organization DarkSky International.
DarkSky International non - profit organization
founded in based in Tucson - Arizona - U.S. founded in 1988 with the mission to
preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our dark sky heritage
through quality outdoor lighting.
The prestigious
International DarkSky Park Certification, which recognizes its pristine night
skies among the top 5% of dark sky quality locations worldwide for stargazing
and astrotourism affirms AlUla's remarkable commitment to minimizing light
pollution and preserving the nocturnal environment.
The certification of the renowned DarkSky
International affirms AlUla's commitment to minimizing light pollution by
protecting and preserving the nocturnal environment and in this way ensuring
that its beautiful and vast desert skies remain crystal and clear benefiting
from in-depth studies, initiatives and activities of astronomers, space
explorers and astrotourists and creating a memorable and unique experience.
In a wonderful scenery with the desert sands of the
Hejaz region providing a beautiful setting in favorable weather conditions,visitors admiring an infinite number of twinkling stars in a very dark sky,
immersing themselves sensorially in the cosmos, delighted by a horizon that
inspires tranquility and breathtaking views connecting with the ancient
astronomical navigation that once guided travellers to this land since the
Islamic Golden Age from the 9th to 13th centuries when the stars
Altair and Aldebaran were studied among others manuscripts were created that
have made history.
Looking up in the sky of AlUla, the stars seem to
be involved in a sort of dance and the human sight with the naked eye cannot
completely grasp the whole but through telescopes it is possible to admire the
immensity of entire galaxies offering breathtaking views in a scenario of
absolute timeless beauty.
There are several highly recommended places to enjoy this magnificent experience starting from the Al Ragassat Valley, near
Madain Saleh, in this location it is possible to admire a magnificent landscape
formed by sandstone rocks eroded by the wind, the Jebel Hejaz.
It is an extraordinary landscape, a rock formations called "dancing rocks" or
"dancers' mountains" a spectacular composition of three rocky massifs
erected together sculpted by the force of nature that at first glance seem to
sway as if they were dancing together under the stars.
In this remote location
thanks to the absence of light pollution, the spectacle is absolutely dazzling
and the evironment increases further more the experience.
Gharameel is
another stunning place, a tranquil and remote site in desert located a 90
minutes drive from Husaak Adventures AlUla close to Winter Park, in this place
there are two imposing rock columns that extend vertically towards the sky
forming a totally unique scenery that offers wonderful opportunities for
stargazing.
Another highlight is the Ashar Valley, an idyllic
place highlighted by its dramatic wind - carved rock formations and its canyons
just 50 minutes from AlUla offering an unforgettable experience for stargazing.
In this site travellers can stay in the Ashar Tented
Resort, an accommodation offering maximum comfort surrounded by dramatic landscapes of the valley
allowing guests to live a unique and authentic experience observing the stars
in a magnificent environment.
Another place highly suggested is Rainbow Rock, a spectacular
natural arch in the desert 90 minutes away from AlUla, a stunning arch - shaped
rock which resembles a rainbow rising from the sand of the desert, a
masterpiece of nature sculpted with the passage of time and the erosion of the
wind, a wonderful place for stargazing that has become one of the favorite
destinations for astronomers but also for photographers.
Hegra is one of the most emblematic and historical
sites in AlUla area, an archaeological site located within Medina province in the
Hejaz region, the largest conserved site civilization of the Nabataeans south
of Petra in Jordan famous for its more 110 well - preserved burial tombs carved
from desert rock, a gateway to a historic past that is combined with a large
open window for stargazing at night.
An ideal place for observation is the hill
overlooking the Tomb of Lihyan, it dates back to Nabatean Kingdom and is known
for being the burial place of Kuza's son and the most iconic tomb of the UNESCO
World Heritage Site, a place that by day offers a historical and cultural visit
and by night becomes an authentic sanctuary for stargazing with unforgettable
night views.
AlUla is located 1,100 kilometers from the capital
of Saudi Arabia Riyadh in the north-west of the country, a unique location from
a historical point of view for its heritage and natural for the beauties it
offers in every corner of its territory in a vast area that covers 22,561
square kilometers with lush valleys with suggestive, scattered oasis and
imposing sandstone mountains that dominate ancient sites dating back thousands
of years ago in the era of The Kingdoms of Lihyan
and Nabataeans.
Link -
https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/internacional/102978_alula_obtiene_la_prestigiosa_certificacion_darksky
