SAUDI ARABIA, MIDDLE EAST HOLIDAY, TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
HOTELS IN THE HOLY CITY OF MAKKAH (MECCA)

Famous Saudi Arabia Landmarks
Jeddah: True Spirit of Saudi Arabia
Jobs in Al Khobar
Mecca Attractions
Medina Things to Do: Relax and Unwind in Medina
Miracles and Mysticism at Makkah's Holy Well of Zamzam
Riyadh - 3 Mesmerizing Side Trips
Riyadh Shopping: Riyadh's Best Shopping Opportunities
Saudi Arabia Culture: Inside the Kingdom
Yanbu Guide

Mecca Attractions   by Lek Boonlert

Mecca...one of the world's holiest cities, and regarded as the centre of the Islamic world. Mecca is home to about two million people, and is located in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Each year, millions of visitors make their way to the holy city for the annual Hajj event.

Unfortunately, it is forbidden for non-Muslims to enter the city of Mecca at any time, which is a shame because this urban metropolis has to be one of the most fascinating destinations across the globe. Nevertheless, Muslim travellers can visit at free will. There are so many things to see and do in the city, but many of the attractions are based around the Islamic religion.

Getting to the city is most commonly done through Jeddah, which contains the King Abdulaziz International Airport. If visitors are coming for the annual Hajj event, the airport holds its own Hajj terminal, so visitors can easily find their way through the airport upon arrival.

Mecca hotels can be found throughout the city, but it is important to pre-book a room before travelling to the city, as thousands of visitors frequent Mecca on a daily basis, particularly during Islamic festivals and events. Once inside the city, buses and taxis are the best way to get around. In addition, travelling on foot is also an option if travellers choose there routes wisely.

Of course, the Sacred Mosque, known in Arabic as Masjid al-Haram, and Kaaba (at the heart of the Sacred Mosque) are the most well known and highly visited attractions in the city. The mosque is the largest in the world, and stands as the holiest Islamic spot on the planet.

Mina is another important attraction within Mecca. It is known world wide as the site of the legendary devil stoning by Prophet Muhammed, and is particularly important for Muslims. The site of Mina stands about five kilometres outside the city of Mecca. One of the most sacred sites in Mecca is the Mountain of Light, also known as Jabal al Noor. This is the location where Prophet Muhammed was first shown the Qu'ran by the Islamic God Allah. The Hill of Arafat is the place of Muhammed's final sermon to his followers, and is also considered a spiritually sacred destination within Mecca.

The Well of Zamzam is a holy water spring that is believed to provide a great source of healing. The water from the well is said to cure illnesses, and also thirst or hunger. The well is located within the Grande Mosque, and is one of the most visited sites in the city. Jabal Al Thur is a cave which hid Prophet Muhammed from Meccans trying to find him. This cave, commonly visited by Muslims throughout the year, holds a strong spiritual important within the Islamic faith.

Although no longer standing, the Ajyad Fortress was a castle built by the Turks, and formerly overlooked the site of the Great Mosque. However, the castle was recently demolished in 2002 to make way for a brand new high-rise, multi-purpose skyscraper. The Abraj Al-Bait Towers is the new building being constructed in place of the Ajyad Fortress, and it is set to be the second tallest building in the world, and the tallest hotel.

Simply walking the streets of Mecca, experiencing the culture; taking in the unique architecture; and visiting the abundance of shopping stores throughout the city is an attraction in itself.

About the Author: Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Mecca Hotels content.

Miracles and Mysticism at Makkah's Holy Well of Zamzam   by Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Situated within the scared quarter of Masjid al Haram in Mecca, just 20 meters from Kaaba, the holiest site in all of Islam, lies a miraculous well that devotees believe is a gift from God himself. According to legend the well first started sprouting water in 2000 BC when Abraham's son cried for water to quench an unbearable feeling of thirst. His mother Hajar ran back and forth between the Safa and Marwa mountains before the Angel Gabriel inspired a gush of water to come sprouting out of the site that is now identified as that of the Zamzam Well. Attracting millions of pilgrims annually during the holy periods of Umrah and Hajj, the Zamzam Well occupies a mythical and mystical position in Islamic folklore and belief which states that the divine water can cure all ills and rid its drinkers of not just thirst but also hunger.

Frequented by devotees from across the globe the rites performed before drinking from the well rightly commemorates the journey of Hajar as male pilgrims run between the two hills seven times while women folk walk the length an equal number of times before taking a drink from the well.

Excavated by hand, the well reaches 30-meters in to the earth at a diameter that ranges between 1.08 and 2.66 meters and is mostly accessed via coolers positioned all over Masjid al Haram in Mecca and the Masjid al Nabawi region. Special taps connected to the well also distribute the holy water in the region as pilgrims also wash their pilgrimage attire and ihram in the water and also collect water in to bottles to take home as gifts for loved ones or ailing relatives. The ihram clothes that have been soaked in the water are later preserved to cloth the pilgrim once he/she passes away as it s believed to be a privileged to be buried in attire dipped in the holy waters of the Zamzam. Containing high levels of calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphate, chloride, nitrate and low levels of fluoride, it is curious that the source of the well water's healing powers have yet to be identified by researchers and scientists.

Those in search of a centrally located Makkah hotel can find few better alternatives than the Raffles Makkah Palace. Ideally situated in the heart of Makkah within view of the Grand Mosque, this luxurious 32-floor rest is also one of the finest Mecca hotels Saudi Arabia counts among its best accommodation providers.

About the Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.  Mecca Hotels

FEATURED HOTELS IN MAKKAH (MECCA), SAUDI ARABIA