AL HAMRA CASTLE

Just north of Tayma, the ruins of Al-Hamra Castle overlook a dry lake. It may be the oldest building in Saudi Arabia. The ancient stone palace-fort dates back to the Babylonian period, around the 6th century BC. Excavations carried out between 1979 and 1986 by a German team led to important discoveries, providing valuable evidence about the oasis in the Babylonian period. The palace was divided into three distinct zones: one for religious functions and two other parts devoted to housing.