Dar Al Madinah Museum

Saudi Arabia


An excellent guided tour in English takes visitors through this private museum's interesting collection, which includes models showing the evolution of the Prophet's Mosque, and one revealing the layout of the interior of his sealed tomb. Other artefacts from various Islamic eras are also here, but the headline item is an original red and black Ottoman mahmal (ceremonial hajj palanquin) dating from 1792. In its day it would have been the centrepiece of an Ottoman hajj caravan. Located 10km east of the city centre.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Saudi Arabia attractions

1. Prophet’s Mosque

4.86 MILES

One of only two mosques in the world that can accommodate a million people, the Prophet’s Mosque holds deep significance for Muslims all over the world…

2. Holy Quran Exhibition

5.02 MILES

The highlight of this exhibition, which explains the context and historicity of Islam's holiest book, is a collection of nine original Qurans, the oldest…

3. Uhud Martyrs Cemetery

5.04 MILES

This is an important site in Islam's prophetic narrative. Around 85 martyred soldiers from the Battle of Uhud lie here in graves surrounded by a tall…

4. Quba Mosque

5.14 MILES

This was once the village of Quba, where the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, migrating from Mecca to Medina, stopped in AD 622, and where the Prophet…

5. Ottoman Hejaz Railway Station

5.56 MILES

This beautiful station was part of the extensive Hejaz Railway that brought pilgrims to Medina from as far away as Damascus in Syria. Built on the orders…

6. Masjid Al Qiblatain

6.89 MILES

The Arabic word qibla means 'direction' of prayer, and this mosque is said to have two. One facing Mecca, and another above the entrance (look where…

7. Masjid Miqat

10.09 MILES

The biggest miqat (pilgrim station) complex in Saudi Arabia, this fort-like mosque rises up like a North African kasbah on the southwestern edge of Medina…

8. Hejaz Substation & Fort

13.9 MILES

This is one of the substations located just before the Hejaz Railway terminated at the holy city of Medina. Today this tiny station block and its fort –…