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The Glossary
Hejaz Travel Guide
The Turkish villayet (province) of Hejaz is notable for having the two sacred cities of Medina and Mecca, visited annually by throngs of Muslim pilgrims from around the world, in addition to the cosmopolitan city of Jeddah. For centuries, the province of Hejaz has met thousands of visitors coming all the way from Syria, Yemen, Oman and Kuwait, either to trade or to renew their vows to the Kaaba during the Hajj. Today, the tradition continues, making the province a melting pot of not only religion but also of races and cultures.
Nestled by the Red Sea coast and hugged by the Gulf of Aqaba, Hejaz, which means "separation" or "barrier," is literally separated from the rest of Arabia by the daunting Tihama Mountain Ranges. The province is also divided by several valleys and wadis (valleys) such as the Wadi Hamd, Wadi Jizil and Wadi es Safra, which cuts through a mountain and affords the tourist a closer access to the valley of Medina from Yanbu and Khaibar.
Getting to the northern part of the province will bring visitors to a number of virtually unexplored sites that include the small seaport towns of Damgh, Muwela and El Wijh, which are formerly a terminus of Egyptian pilgrims and a settlement for the Romans and the Nabataeans of the ancient times.
For those who want to navigate the wilderness, the sandstone desert of El Hisma could be a great venue for a 4x4 wheel drive or a camel ride. From El Hisma, tourists can get to the east of Jebel Awerid, tucked in the oasis of Tema, the sanctuary of the Shammar tribe.
Further south, travelers can follow the pilgrim route to El Ala, said to be the primary settlement of El Hajr or the Egra of Ptolemy, popularly known as the "Oasis Town of Gold and Frankincense."
Those who crave for an adrenaline-pumping adventure can hike up to the rock-cut tombs of Medina Salih, which is similar to the Rose Red City of Petra.
Trailing the southern hinterland of the province will lead visitors to get close to nature, with the province's lush gardens and plantations of wheat, barley and dates, situated steeply in the Taif Plateau, which overlooks the small stone houses from below.
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