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

Mada’in Saleh archeological site in Saudi Arabia

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
Apr 5, 2026Easter Sunday

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 15, 2025Perseid meteor shower over Nevada
Oct 27, 2020A bridge of Madison County
Apr 23, 2025Shakespeare Day
Jan 21, 2020Observing a squirrelly day
May 22, 2022International Day for Biological Diversity
Dec 14, 2021American robin
Sep 24, 2019With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
May 16, 2024International Day of Light
Nov 5, 2019Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
Feb 7, 2021It s superb owl Sunday
Feb 1, 2022Black History Month
Nov 20, 2020Atop the Needle of Chamonix
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Jun 15, 2023Nature Photography Day
Oct 13, 2019Acadia transformed
Nov 22, 2018Tom Turkey takes Manhattan
Oct 3, 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia
Feb 12, 2018National Museum of African American History and Culture
Aug 12, 2019Don t forget—it’s World Elephant Day
Jul 25, 2019Jane’s Carousel delights
Sep 14, 2024Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile
Aug 28, 2025A great white egret in Hungary
Sep 29, 2018Vietnam’s new bridge deserves a big hand
Nov 6, 2023Lake Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
May 26, 2018Honoring the first American woman in space
Dec 14, 2024Christmas Bird Count turns 125
Mar 27, 2021Blink and you ll miss it
Aug 14, 2018Combating extinction with citizen science
Mar 9, 2021Spring comes to the Diablo foothills
May 14, 2025Porto Flavia, Sardinia, Italy