Architectural heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents an important historical incubator that received attention from the state that created a clear organizational framework for its through the Saudi Vision 2030, especially that it reflects the society and its values and principles and achieves sustainable tourist development, where that heritage – which was used in the past for housing and shelter – now transfers into civil cultural platforms that enhance identity, loyalty and the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the archeological Al-Aan Palace in Najran. The renovation and rehabilitation of the palace, which dates back to more than 340 years ago, has contributed to preserving the architectural heritage of mud houses and palaces in the region that are rich with their local raw materials and are decorated with beauty and creativity elements and are connected with history and the past. The Al-Aan Palace is located on the Aan Mountain to the west of Najran in the northern part of Najran Valley and comprises four floors that are built according to a unique architectural pattern for heritage houses that reflect the identity and history of the community. Supervisor of the archaeological Al-Aan Palace Hussein Al-Makrami said that the palace was built in 1100 AH and witnessed successive renovation works, the last and most extensive of which was in 1440 AH. The palace is built entirely of mud with the building blocks system Najran is famous for, where walls are built in successive stages on a foundation of stone, while the roofs are made of wood, palm trunks and fronds, and Ziziphus trees. Al-Aan Palace is a model of traditional architecture consisting of 4 floors, each occupied by one family, besides being surrounded by a wall with several circular and rectangular towers to protect the palace and its surrounding areas. He added that the rooms of the palace were equipped with popular tools, pots and clothes to acquaint visitors with the popular heritage of the region, where the palace receives visitors three days per week in addition to receiving official, scientific and tourist delegations round the year. Al-Makrami stressed keenness of the owners of the palace, in cooperation with the Heritage Commission, to realize the Saudi Vision 2030 through preserving heritage and benefiting from the historical elements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in developing the tourist services that it provides to tourists and opening the halls and parks of the palace for national institutions and scientific missions.
