ALULA — The ancient ruins of the Qurh archeological site, jutting out of AlUla’s desert landscape, stand as time capsules for centuries-old stories of trade and culture, where its strategic location solidified it as a station in the network of ancient routes connecting the south of the Arabian Peninsula with its north. Situated 20 kilometers south of the Old Town in AlUla Governorate, the Qurh ruins were a prominent part Wadi Al-Qura where commercial and cultural movement flourished, including the Incense Route, one of the most important trade routes in the Arabian Peninsula, as caravans transported valuable goods from the south to the north via Wadi Al-Qura. Being near the Mughayra village, the archaeological remains are spread across a wide plain surrounded by medium-height mountains, reflecting the city’s geographical importance along caravan routes over the ages. **media[2675951]** By the end of the sixth Hijri century, the name of Qurh gradually declined, while the city of AlUla, located north of the valley, emerged as a new urban center in the region. The Qurh site reveals multiple architectural remains, including buildings, markets, and streets, along with architectural patterns dating back to the early Islamic eras, reflecting the scale of economic and cultural activity witnessed by the city during its prosperity stages. The Royal Commission for AlUla continues its efforts to study this historical site through field surveys and excavation work in cooperation with scientific missions and international research centers.
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