Travel Guide Thee Ain

Thee Ain village is the emblem of the Al Baha region. Its tall and massive bent stone houses blend into the desert mountain in the background. Located on the top of a small hill, the village is surrounded by banana trees, palm trees and lemon trees. Perfectly restored, it offers a sumptuous bucolic panorama. The village includes about forty houses and small palaces, granaries and stables for animals distributed on the slopes of the hill. This one is crowned by an imposing fortress. The small mosque is located at the entrance of the village. The network of steep alleys and staircases makes it possible to stroll quietly in the village. In the absence of stores or cafes, bring plenty of water, because it climbs. Prefer a visit very early in the morning or at the end of the day outside the winter period, to avoid suffering from the heat.The village of Thee Ain exists since the 16th century. It was the object of many attacks and raids before the unification of the country. The most famous one was the one led by Mohammed Ali Pasha, founder of modern Egypt and Ottoman governor in the 19th century. He was attempting to conquer the southern Arabian Peninsula on behalf of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II. His army was routed by the local tribes of Ghamed and Zahran. Thee Ain takes its name from a spring that came down from the mountain and supplied retention basins. It counted up to 320 dwellings. There are still 49 of them, which are between one and four stories high. The walls are between 70 and 90 cm thick, making these houses small forts. The reception rooms were located on the first floor, while the upper floors were reserved for bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. The large main rooms are supported by cedar pillars, called "zafer". The ceilings are of the same wood.The site has benefited from a major renovation by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The latter committed more than 16 million rials in works that lasted 5 years. The aim was to have the village listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. The attempt has failed for the moment, but the site is clearly worth a visit. Access to the village of Thee Ain is free. It is open from Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 3:30pm.