Mada’in Saleh archeological site in Saudi Arabia Apr 5, 2018

This is Qasr al Ferid, or ‘lonely castle,’ the largest of some 100 tombs here in the ancient Nabatean city of Hegra, now known as Mada’in Saleh. This site in Saudi Arabia is considered an archeological treasure for its well-preserved remains dating back nearly 2,000 years, when the Nabatean Kingdom flourished by trading incense, myrrh, and spices. While this particular tomb was never completed, its four-story size indicates it was intended for someone wealthy and powerful.

© Bruno Zanzottera/Aurora Photos

palette

Today in History

Apr 5, 2019A day of death and rebirth
Apr 5, 2020The frog prince?
Apr 5, 2021Once upon a time there was a bridge…
Apr 5, 2022Goðafoss waterfall, Iceland
Apr 5, 2023Black grouses lekking
Apr 5, 2024The Bahamas
Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe at sunset, Basque Country, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 29, 2018A Christmas market with a long history
Jun 11, 2019Installation art turns heads
Nov 9, 2021Dalyan, Turkey
Aug 10, 2021Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch on the institution s 175th anniversary
Sep 14, 2024Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile
Nov 7, 2018A triumph of light
May 22, 2023International Day for Biodiversity
Aug 18, 2020Women s suffrage at 100
Oct 5, 2021A day to celebrate teachers
Nov 23, 2018Let the holiday shopping commence
Dec 15, 2023SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
Jun 27, 2022Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France
Oct 29, 2018In search of a ‘great’ pumpkin
Apr 7, 2021A willowy welcome to spring
Apr 24, 2022Dark Sky Week
Oct 9, 2021Birds of a feather
Nov 24, 2021Chocolate Hills
Aug 18, 2022Surströmming Day
Jan 14, 2018Sanday Island and the North Sea, Scotland
Dec 5, 2018’Chess on ice’
Sep 13, 2022Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Oct 14, 2024Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day
Dec 12, 2024Poinsettia Day
Sep 29, 2020A crush in Lavaux
Feb 23, 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Jun 5, 2025World Environment Day
Jan 21, 2024Squirrel Appreciation Day
Dec 24, 2023Christmas Eve
Aug 10, 2022Joshua Tree National Park
Jan 8, 2020Take the stairs