Every year, millions of Muslims visit Madinah for Hajj and Umrah, which is considered the first capital of Islam.
After Mecca, this city is considered the second holiest city in Islam, where the Prophet’s Mosque, built by the Prophet of Islam, is located. Built in the year 622, this mosque is still considered one of the largest mosques in the world. The first mosque of Islam, ‘Masjid-i-Quba’, is also located in the same city.
Before the advent of Islam, the city was known as Yathrib, which was known for its commercial and geographical importance and had mountains, plains, oases, gold, silver and copper mines.
According to the Saudi tourism website ‘Visit Saudi’, Muslims and foreigners can visit the tourist attractions of Madinah without any restrictions. And these places include Jabal Uhud, Jabal Zabab, Jabal Al Ramah (Archer’s Hill) and Jabal Noor. All these places have religious significance. While there are many museums located in Madinah where you can have a look at the history of this city.
We have prepared for you a list of some of the holy tourist places in Madinah.
Quba Mosque
Only three and a half kilometers away from Masjid Nabawi is the first mosque of Islam, which was founded by the Prophet of Islam himself. It is believed that the Prophet of Islam spent four days in Quba before entering Madinah and Muslims believe that the reward of going to Quba Mosque with the intention of prayer is equal to one Umrah.
Many people visit it for its unique architecture and historical significance. It has four minarets with a height of 47 meters with a white dome, of which the construction of the first minaret is attributed to Hazrat Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz.
Hijaz Railway
The Hijaz Railway was built in 1900, connecting Damascus to Medina. It began operating in 1908 and continued in operation until World War I in 1916. However, it suffered.
It is one of the old trading places in Al-Ula, about three and a half hours from Madinah.
Madain Salih or Al-Hajr Qila near the Hijaz Railway Station is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia where the remains of the Nabataean Empire are found during the first century.
There are 111 mausoleums in this place open for tourists, while traces of ancient paintings are found in the caves.
The palace of Urwa bin Al-Zubayr
This place, built in the first Hijri, is one of the signs of the beginning of the Islamic era, which is about three and a half kilometers away from the Prophet’s Mosque.
It was constructed of stones with a layer of mud and plaster. Some floors have brick tiles and volcanic stone.
There are three large gardens, period rooms and kitchens, while there is also a water well, which is believed to have been used by pilgrims from Mecca to drink from.
The previous mosque
It is said about this mosque located in Banu Salama area of Madinah, that during two Hijri, the order of Qibla direction was received during prayer in this same mosque.
The Prophet of Islam and the Companions turned their faces towards the Kaaba in Makkah instead of Bait al-Maqdis in Jerusalem during the prayer. Since the same prayer was performed in this mosque facing two different qiblas, it is called ‘Masjid Qiblatin’ i.e. a mosque with two qiblas.
The inner part of the mosque is domed while the outer arch is towards the north. It was rebuilt during the Ottoman Empire, while the renovation work was done during the reign of Saudi King Fahd bin Abdulaziz.
Al Bint Dam and Khyber
Khyber has numerous archaeological remains where visitors must stop and contemplate. Although historical stories differ about how the Albinat Dam was built, this does not detract from the glory of the dam.
Al-Bunt Dam, also known as Sahba Dam, is believed to have been built 3000 years ago during the Sheba period. This dam is similar to Marib Dam in Yemen. Its strong rocks separate the Herat Khyber from the dam waters on the other side.
Standing in front of the dam, you will feel how small you are compared to the vastness of the dam, as it is 50 meters high, 250 meters long and 10 meters wide.
The nature of the area around the dam is different from other areas. There are date palms and other fruit trees. What will catch your attention in the structure of the dam is that it has no gates to release the water and its steps are made of stone which people use to get down from the dam or it measures the water. There may be a way. Part of this dam has collapsed.
The road leading to the dam is paved with easy vehicular access.
Ali Mosque
The Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque, located in the Masjid Fateh area, is a place for visitors to Madinah that showcases the Islamic cultural heritage.
It was built between 706 and 712 with the last renovation in 1990 during the reign of King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
It has seven domes. It is believed that the Prophet of Islam offered the Eid prayer at this place and after the death of the Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Ali also offered the Eid prayer here.
Jannat al-Baqi
Jannat al-Baqi is the oldest Islamic cemetery in Medina. Companions, family members and many personalities are buried here. Baqi refers to the place where wild plants are found.
The cemetery has three entrances on the north, east and west sides.
In the last expansion of Masjid Nabawi Sharif, the houses between this graveyard and Masjid Nabawi were demolished. In the eastern direction of Masjid Nabawi Sharif, this Baqi cemetery has now been connected to the outer courtyard of Masjid Nabawi Sharif.
