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Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra, near AlUla, are Saudi Arabia's equivalent of Petra in Jordan, but receive only a trickle of visitors.
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The rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra, a Unesco World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of AlUla. AFP
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One of the tombs at Hegra, formerly known as Madain Saleh. AFP
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The site was used as the background for a concert by Italian tenor Andea Bocelli. AFP
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The Qasr al-Farid tomb (The Lonely Castle) carved into rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra. AFP
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The Qasr al-Farid tomb (The Lonely Castle) carved into rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra. AFP
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Andrea Bocelli is believed to be the first artist to host a concert at Hegra, Saudi Arabia. Sammy Six
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Hegra, known locally as 'rocky place', features 111 monumental tombs carved into stone. AFP
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Rock-cut tombs at Hegra, near Al Ula, are Saudi Arabia's equivalent of Petra in Jordan, but receive only a trickle of visitors. Amar Grover / The National
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Nabataean tomb in Hegra archaeological site, Al Madinah Province, AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
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Hegra is the first archeological site in Saudi Arabia to join Unesco's World Heritage List. Photo: Consulum
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A Saudi tour guide stands inside a tomb at Hegra in Saudi Arabia. Reuters
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Hegra is northwest of Riyadh. AP Photo
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Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra, near AlUla, are Saudi Arabia's equivalent of Petra in Jordan, but receive only a trickle of visitors.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5N3POF3BK6PFVH2XN6M4653YPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c68c432e1905fb8b21be5a73b1db97009d3413c271e6c4273dab38e9aa25531&width=400&height=225)
The rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra, a Unesco World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of AlUla. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2OLYTJRGQNTS62C3XYSVTRQA7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=cfab0a1f047ff5b9c811f6cfa10311c411fd8ed26e666efc97df9a858e00b972&width=400&height=225)
One of the tombs at Hegra, formerly known as Madain Saleh. AFP
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The site was used as the background for a concert by Italian tenor Andea Bocelli. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EJ4VRURPZUZXKXJ57PD6ZBEQME.jpg?smart=true&auth=36fe8f6c5241f1d64c88a21c5a4b1a357618e283a1e928a1e5e33a6428ac6446&width=400&height=225)
The Qasr al-Farid tomb (The Lonely Castle) carved into rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QO3PD5NBMHAYY3XTKN6DADFN74.jpg?smart=true&auth=717d80b6ecb845b4e4c5dae67840d2a2560b3bdbc9a238d26d18a23934bca6b7&width=400&height=225)
The Qasr al-Farid tomb (The Lonely Castle) carved into rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VN5TL4WH7GTSRXUDJN2LLRWVVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3722f8ddb8bd74c9c996086f8090939e57bf5ace8a7f676bc8f1904bc985c82d&width=400&height=225)
Andrea Bocelli is believed to be the first artist to host a concert at Hegra, Saudi Arabia. Sammy Six
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VFRQIF3ES2ZSKG4TQ3S5POHQ44.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f3d848befc5f268b45f6fbe16504cf4b793fe0b223ea00c304d7c1df07b0770&width=400&height=225)
Hegra, known locally as 'rocky place', features 111 monumental tombs carved into stone. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ACGRIZY6FTZRXA7ECNBPKHZDS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=235bd5e81030002c37f4f93009cf43311c312f13ee7332eb5d59f795d7f81fd0&width=400&height=225)
Rock-cut tombs at Hegra, near Al Ula, are Saudi Arabia's equivalent of Petra in Jordan, but receive only a trickle of visitors. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBYLMQRGYLOSSX44LLJLCTDDII.jpg?smart=true&auth=26a901d80e09ba7e0bdd89944ff32a5e21966ab397eb7207230abe394b9d633d&width=400&height=225)
Nabataean tomb in Hegra archaeological site, Al Madinah Province, AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
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Hegra is the first archeological site in Saudi Arabia to join Unesco's World Heritage List. Photo: Consulum
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A Saudi tour guide stands inside a tomb at Hegra in Saudi Arabia. Reuters
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Hegra is northwest of Riyadh. AP Photo
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Nabataean rock-cut tombs at Hegra, near AlUla, are Saudi Arabia's equivalent of Petra in Jordan, but receive only a trickle of visitors.