The Holy City of Mecca

The Holy City of Mecca

Attraction Introduction

Saudi Arabia is located on the Arabian Peninsula in the southwest of Asia, and Islam’s first holy city, Mecca, is situated in a valley of the dried-up Ibrahim River in the central section of the Sarat Mountains in western Saudi Arabia. This “holy city” is surrounded by mountains, has a very hot climate, and is connected by roads to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and Medina, the location of the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad.

After the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, Mecca was designated as the “religious capital,” and it is now administered by descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Mecca is divided into the new city and the old city.

The old city is located in the valley of the dried-up Ibrahim River, surrounded by bare mountain peaks. The urban area has few trees, and the climate is hot and dry. In summer, the sun blazes fiercely, and the streets are bustling with people and vehicles amid swirling dust. The area features many religious buildings and palaces with medieval characteristics, narrow streets lined with quaint, traditional shops, and local residents whose clothing, language, and customs still retain some aspects of the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

The word “Mecca” in Arabic means “suck,” indicating the difficulty of accessing water in the region, and it also signifies “the holy city.” Mecca holds a sacred status in the hearts of Muslims around the world. Every year, one to two million Muslims spend vast sums of money and endure long, arduous journeys from distant places to come here for pilgrimage, demonstrating their devotion as faithful followers of Allah.　

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia