Unaizah... The city that is not visited but lived
There are cities we pass through in passing, and there are cities that reside deep within us, leaving an indelible mark... And so it was with Unayzah.
For many years, I knew it only through the car window—a beautiful station on the route to Makkah al-Mukarramah and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. Yet, I never imagined that behind those quiet roads lay a city brimming with such beauty, history, and humanity.
An honorable invitation came from my dear brother, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jaber (Abu Nasser), marking the beginning of a journey that remains among the most beautiful I have experienced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
From the very first moments, I felt that Unayzah does not welcome its visitors with buildings or streets, but with the hearts of its people. It is an elegant city that blends the authenticity of the past with the modernity of the present. Its streets are wide, and its old markets still retain the spirit of a bygone era, while its modern markets, restaurants, farms, and rest areas reflect the vitality of a city that knows how to preserve its heritage while looking toward the future.
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What amazed me most, however, was its weather! In late July, while the heat intensifies in most Gulf cities, the nights in Unayzah were cool with a gentle breeze, making one forget that they were in the heart of summer.
But the most beautiful takeaway from this visit was not just the beauty of the place, but the beauty of its people. I sensed in everyone I met a sincere love for Kuwait and its people, and a natural generosity that makes the guest feel as if they are among their own family.
Accompanying us on this trip was the kind brother, Sulaiman bin Abdulrahman Al-Raish, who added special pleasure to our tour. We headed to al-Bakariyah Governorate, one of the most beautiful cities in al-Qassim, to visit two of its most prominent heritage landmarks: Al-Suwailim Pavilion and Al-Rajhi Pavilion.
Our first stop was Al-Suwailim Pavilion, where we were welcomed by Mr. Mohammed Al-Musallam (Abu Ibrahim), who took us on a fascinating journey through the pages of history. He narrated stories with passion and love, as if reviving events that occurred centuries ago.
We learned the reason behind the name al-Bakariyah and the story of the Al-Suwailim family. We discovered how Abdullah bin Suwailm bin Uthman Al-Suwailm, the Emir of al-Bakariyah, built this pavilion in 1240 AH, at the beginning of the Second Saudi State, making it later one of the most prominent historical landmarks in the al-Qassim region.
The value of the site increases when you learn that King Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God have mercy on him, visited this pavilion three years after the Battle of al-Bakariyah, leaving it as a witness to an important phase in the history of the unification of the Kingdom.
Then, Abu Ibrahim led us to the old well and explained how fathers and ancestors dug wells using simple tools. Afterward, we entered the heart of the pavilion, where we saw its rooms, date storage areas, the food preparation area, and the majlis where King Abdulaziz sat during his historic visit.
After the tour concluded, we sat in the open diwaniya (guest reception hall) to welcome visitors. There, we tasted the farm’s fresh and dried dates, and al-khliyah (a traditional sweet) made with olive oil, accompanied by a cup of authentic Arabic coffee. The scene embodied the authentic Najdi hospitality, which remains present to this day.
We left Al-Suwailim Pavilion carrying unforgettable memories and headed to Al-Rajhi Pavilion, arriving at the time of the Maghrib prayer. We were welcomed there by Mr. Yousuf Al-Rajhi (Abu Abdulrahman), the project manager.
We performed the Maghrib prayer in the pavilion’s mosque, an ancient mosque where, within its walls, one feels that time has stopped in reverence for the place. The voices of the worshippers who have prayed there over the past decades still seem to echo through its corridors.
And there… another story began, which will have its own account in Part Two... God willing.
