Introduction
Ta’if, a city less than 100 kilometers east of Makkah, sits at an altitude of 1800 meters in a valley on the eastern side of the Hejaz mountains. This millennia-old city lies at the crossroads of two of the most important historical roads of the Arabian Peninsula: the frankincense road, originating in Yemen over 3000 years ago, and the pilgrimage road to Makkah, whose Ka’aba was a place of worship even before the advent of Islam and now hosts the largest pilgrimage in the world.
Natural Wonders of Taif Today, the scent of incense no longer perfumes the streets of Taif, but another fragrance has ensured the region’s continued fame. The Rosa damascena trigintipetala, a unique species of rose that grows in the valley around Taif, is renowned for its fragrance, used in the finest perfumes by prestigious brands such as Ormonde Jayne Perfumery, Perris, Chanel, and Guerlain. The city celebrates this floral icon every spring at the Taif Rose Festival.
A Summer Destination Taif is a favorite summer destination for Saudis seeking the pleasant weather offered by its altitude, while most of the Arabian Peninsula endures suffocating heat. The region’s cooler climate and fertile land have earned it the title “Garden of the Hejaz.” Visitors can admire its beauty in the Al-Hada natural reserve and the village of Ash-Shafa, perched at 2200 meters above sea level. Taif’s highest point, Jebel Daka, is the fifth highest peak in Saudi Arabia.
A cable car station starting at Al-Kurr water-park village leads to the top of Al-Hada Mountain, which includes a restaurant and hotel with a great view of the surrounding valley and massif. The high mountains around Taif have also become a favorite place for climbers, who can practice their sport in Al-Hada, Al-Shifa, Bani Saad, Thaqif, Bal-Harith, Bani Malik, and other nearby locations.
History of Taif Ancient Times The ancient human presence in Taif is attested by rock art engraved at a site located at the eastern entrance of the modern city. Taif’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Hejaz’s trade and pilgrimage roads made it a highly contested place with many different rulers. This location on ancient travel routes is still visible today along the 4 kilometers of the Kara ancient road, divided into two parts: one for pedestrians and the other for animals. About 1700 meters of this road have been restored and rehabilitated by the Taif branch of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
Souq Okaz At the crossing of these two routes was the famous market called Souq Okaz, which still exists today. This pre-Islamic gathering place was a scene for annual social, political, and commercial gatherings, as well as competitive recitations of poetry and prose. The building’s remains include prominent outlines of walls of basaltic stones, but the main attraction is the 10,700 square meters of iconic patterned membrane of the Souk Okaz Public Theatre, where a festival revives the local tradition of public art since 2008.
The Muslim Conquest The first famous conquest of the city took place in 631 CE after Makkah and Tabuk were seized by Muslim armies. The people of Taif accepted to destroy their idols and embraced Islam. The Prophet Muhammad was given a sanctuary in Wadi Mitna in a small house now used as a mosque. In 677 AD/58 H, the Caliph Muawiyah built one of the 34 dams in the Taif area, as attested by an inscription in ancient Arabic script carved in a nearby rock.
The Ottoman Conquest Taif was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1517 along with the Hejaz after the troops of Selim I conquered the Mamluk Sultanate. To maintain control over the area, they built a fort near Souq Okaz, at the crossing of the main travel routes. The city remained Ottoman until 1802 when it was conquered by troops allied to the House of Saud, who later seized Makkah and Madinah. The loss of the Holy Cities was a blow to the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II, who called upon his nominal viceroy in Egypt, Muhammad Ali, to launch an attack on the Hejaz and reconquer Taif in 1813.
In 1843, the Ottomans refurbished the castle, and in 1869, they built military barracks and a hükumet konagi (a mansion for government business). A post office was established sometime later.
European Explorers in Taif In 1813, the Swiss traveler and orientalist Johann Ludwig Burkhardt visited Taif just after its recapture by Muhammad Ali, whom he even interviewed. Burckhardt left a precious testimony of the barely known Hejaz of the 19th century. He noted that the wall and ditch around the city had been built by a ruler named Othman Al-Medhayfe, and the fortifications included three gates and several towers along the city walls. He also observed the destruction caused by the conquest of 1802, with most buildings still in ruins, and the tomb of Abdullah bin Abbas, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad and ancestor of the Abbasid Caliphs, had been severely damaged.
When Burckhardt visited Taif, the city was a storehouse for coffee, and its population was still mostly Thaqif, a tribe believed to have lived there for at least 1500 years.
The Saudi Conquest In 1916, the Hashemites, a tribe originating from the same family as the Prophet Muhammad, launched a revolt against the Ottoman Empire in Makkah in June and took Ta’if in September. The city later became part of the self-proclaimed Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz. However, the city was retaken just 10 years later by the Ikhwans allied to the House of Saud, and in 1926, Abdulaziz Al-Saud was officially recognized as the new king of Hejaz. Ta’if remained part of the Kingdom of Hejaz until Abdulaziz Al-Saud unified his two kingdoms into one under the title of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
King Abdulaziz Al-Saud and his Cabinet used to settle in Ta’if during the summer to seek the milder climate of the area. His residence was the Shubra Palace, which was then the seat of Saudi rule for a few months each year. This architectural masterpiece of Ta’if was built in 1905 with a unique style combining recent and ancient Western and Arabic influences. Shubra was used as the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, and in 1995, it was turned into one of the most important museums in the Kingdom.
Conclusion Taif’s rich history, natural beauty, and cultural significance make it a unique destination in Saudi Arabia. Whether you’re drawn by its fragrant roses, cool summer climate, or historical landmarks, Taif offers a captivating blend of the past and present.
