A group of Italian tourists visited the ancient Nabataen town of Madain Saleh and were amazed by the splendor and charm of the valleys surrounded by the stunning shapes of various geological formations.  Madain Saleh is a very popular destination for western tourists – more than 75,000 visited last year including Americans, Europeans, and Japanese.  Archaeologist Mutlaq Suleiman said “They were very happy and excited seeing this archeological treasure.”

UNESCO declared Madain Saleh a World Heritage Site last year and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities has since been developing the area.  Al Mutlaq said the number of visitors to Madain Saleh has been increasing every year and the opening of Prince Abdul Majeed Airport in Al-Ula next year will increase the number of visitors. further.  Madain Saleh, which is  about 400 kilometers north of Madinah, has 94 tombs with decorated facades, 35 funerary chambers, and over 1,000 non-monumental graves and stone lined tombs.