Ta'if: Difference between revisions

====1517: Surrender to the Ottoman Empire====

On 17 July 1517 the [[Sharif of Mecca]] gave away Ta'if to the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Sultan]] [[Selim I]]. As a sign of this, he surrendered to him the keys of the Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina. As part of the Hejaz, Ta'if was also given over to Ottoman control.

 

====1802 – 1813: Retaking by the Saudi and reconquest by the Ottomans====

==Places to See==

*Al Rudaf Park: To the south of Taif is a large natural park with trees and granite rocks. The site also has a small zoo.

*Wadi Mitna: [[Muhammad|Muhammed's]] sanctuary in 619 AD. Muhammed came here to gain support of the Hawazeen and the Tawfiq but was stoned by the tribes. He was later given sanctuary in a vineyard by two makkans.

*Ta'if rose plantation. In the month of April the rose fields are filled with pink roses that are picked at dawn and later distilled into costly ta'if rose oil. Ta'if perfume has been used in several luxury perfumes including Ormonde Jayne Perfumery,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ta'if Perfume Collection|url=http://www.ormondejayne.com/shop/scents/taif/|publisher=Ormonde Jayne|accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref> Chanel and Guerlain.

*Rock Carving Site: Located {{convert|40|km|abbr=on}} north of Taif, this was the site of the [[Okaz Souk]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Image of Okaz Souk|url=http://www.ysljdj.com/photo/images/Taif%20%AA%BA%20Okaz%20%AA%BA%A5%AB%B3%F5%BF%F2%B8%F1.JPG|accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref> the largest and most well known of the pre-Islamic [[souk|souqs]] or gathering places. The souq was a place for yearly social, political and commercial gatherings. It was also the location of competitive recitation of poetry and prose. The buildings remain, including outlines of walls of [[basalt]]ic stone.

*Turkish Fort: The remains of the fort are located near the Rock Carvings. [[T. E. Lawrence|Lawrence of Arabia]] fought here in 1917. Many battles have been fought there and many graves can be found

*Nature Reserve: Between Al Hada hospital and the Sheraton Hotel at the top of Al Hada mountain is a large nature reserve at an height of 2100 meters above sea level. ''Al Hada'' means tranquillity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://up.arab-x.com/July09/zao28050.jpg|title=Image of the mountains|accessdate=28 June 2013}}</ref>

*Al Shafa: A small village on the Sarawat mountains at an height of 2200 to 2500 meters above sea level, rich in agricultural products. The fruit gardens of Taif are located here.

 

|Nov precipitation mm = 21.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 7.3

 

|Jan humidity = 60

==References==

{{Reflist}}

 

[[Category:Cities in Saudi Arabia]]

[[Category:Establishments in Saudi Arabia]]