Medina, Saudi Arabia

Medina is located on volcanic mountain slopes. It has 1.4 million inhabitants. It was built in 622 AD at the site of the settlement of Yathrib in Saudi Arabia. Medina is the capital of the Muslim world. According to belief, here Muhammad laid the foundation stone of the first mosque in the world - "Masjid al-Quba". After his death in 632, the so-called "Masjid al-Nabawi" or the Prophet's Mosque was built on the site of his home. His grave is located in it, and this mosque is second only to the "Masjid al-Haram" in Mecca. Medina is surrounded by high walls from the 12th century with towers and a fortress, with four main gates.
Overall, this complex is a magnificent architectural creation. Beyond the city walls are suburbs with low houses, courtyards and gardens. In Medina there are many religious monuments, tombs and shops selling artifacts and sacred objects. Like Mecca, the sacred part of Medina behind the city walls is "haram" (forbidden) to non-Muslims.