Abha’s Al-Muftaha mixes culture, art, and tourism in Ramadan.

- Al-Muftaha District in Abha thrives as a cultural and tourist hub during Ramadan, offering artistic exhibitions, heritage markets, and historical landmarks.

Abha, March 27, 2025 – For decades, Al-Muftaha District has stood as a cultural and historical landmark in the heart of Abha, seamlessly merging its rich heritage with a prime location along the Abha Valley. This Ramadan, the district has transformed into a dynamic cultural and tourist hub, attracting hundreds of visitors daily for a diverse mix of recreational, artistic, and heritage-inspired experiences.

Organized by the Aseer Development Authority's Tourism Destinations Sector, the district's Ramadan celebrations feature a wide range of activities. Families, both local and visiting, gather at the Art Village—established 35 years ago in the district's northern section—where exhibitions and artistic showcases highlight the region’s creative heritage.

Al-Muftaha also boasts a modern theater with a seating capacity exceeding 3,500, equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. A historical highlight of the district is Souq Al Thulatha (Tuesday Market), one of Aseer's oldest traditional markets, named after its weekly Tuesday gatherings. The market, designed in an oval layout, features pedestrian-friendly pathways and open-air stalls displaying local handicrafts and traditional products.

The district’s architecture preserves Abha’s distinct building traditions, characterized by thick walls, small windows, and “raqf” plaster coatings that protect mud walls from rain while offering shade. Several historic palaces further enhance the district’s enduring charm.

Historically, Al-Muftaha was famed for sword making, with craftsmen extracting iron-rich sedimentary rocks from the Al-Soudah Mountains, 20 kilometers northwest of Abha. Using traditional methods, they forged swords, daggers, and agricultural tools, preserving a centuries-old craft.