Dumat al-Jandal
Al-Dir' is the old stone quarter of Dumat al-Jandal and among the oldest inhabited districts of the oasis. Its houses date from about the ninth century AH and…
Al-Dir' is the old stone quarter of Dumat al-Jandal and among the oldest inhabited districts of the oasis. Its houses date from about the ninth century AH and stand on far older foundations, over layers reaching back to Nabataean and earlier times. It is entered from the south beside Masjid Umar ibn al-Khattab and Marid Castle. Some forty stone houses of one to three storeys stand along narrow winding lanes over about three hectares, with five entrances leading to the mosque, the market and the surrounding farms. Walking its lanes is the natural continuation of a visit to the castle and the mosque.