Mount Uhud, Mountain summit near Medina, Saudi Arabia
Mount Uhud is a summit north of Medina in the Hejazi region that stretches for several kilometers and rises more than a thousand meters high. The flanks consist of dark volcanic rock that stands out clearly from the flat desert landscape around it and can be seen from a distance.
A battle took place here in March 625 between Muslim forces from Medina and the Quraysh from Mecca. The defeat of the Muslims shaped early Islamic history and led to strategic changes in the defense of the city.
The mosque at the base honors the seventy who fell in battle and draws pilgrims who pray and remember the dead. Many visitors arrive in the cooler morning hours when the quiet of the place feels especially present and believers gather for communal prayer.
Marked trails lead from the base up to viewpoints and historical markers spread across the terrain. The ascent is best done in daylight as the paths are partly uneven and covered with loose rock.
Eight different plant species grow on the slopes, which is rare for this dry region. The rock dates from the Cretaceous period and shows traces of ancient volcanic activity that can be recognized in the formations on closer inspection.
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