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Greek Prime Minister Visits AlUla's Archaeological Sites

The Greek prime minister explored on Monday some of the most prominent landmarks and archaeological sites in AlUla. SPA
The Greek prime minister explored on Monday some of the most prominent landmarks and archaeological sites in AlUla. SPA
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Greek Prime Minister Visits AlUla's Archaeological Sites

The Greek prime minister explored on Monday some of the most prominent landmarks and archaeological sites in AlUla. SPA
The Greek prime minister explored on Monday some of the most prominent landmarks and archaeological sites in AlUla. SPA

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has visited Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, in AlUla Governorate.
The PM explored on Monday some of the most prominent landmarks and archaeological sites, which date back thousands of years and were constructed over various historical periods.
The prime minister was accompanied on his visit by Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi and Executive Director of the Royal Commission for AlUla Amr AlMadani, along with several other officials from the Saudi and Greek sides.

They explored Qasr al-Farid, one of the most significant ancient archaeological sites in Hegra and Qasr al-Bint, another remarkable location that dates back to pre-Islamic times.
Their journey also took them to Jabal Ithlib, which boasts a prominent historical landmark in the northeast of Hegra, thoughtfully designed as an open-air theater that harmonizes with the breathtaking natural landscape.

They also visited ancient historical sites and artifacts scattered throughout AlUla, drawing tourists from around the globe.

These sites are carefully preserved by the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and other organizations, ensuring that they remain a vital part of human heritage while showcasing the rich history and diverse civilizations that have thrived in the region over the centuries.

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Southern California Wildfires Claim Will Rogers Ranch, Other Landmarks

The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
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Southern California Wildfires Claim Will Rogers Ranch, Other Landmarks

The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)

Raging wildfires that continue to burn a path of destruction through Southern California claimed the Will Rogers ranch along with a number of other local landmarks in what is already the most damaging fire in Los Angeles history.

Some monuments remain unscathed, such as the famous Hollywood sign that looms above the city in the Santa Monica mountains, and the Getty Villa, a museum named for billionaire oilman J. Paul Getty that houses a collection of artifacts and antiquities.

However, the Will Rogers ranch, home to the one-time vaudeville performer who rose to fame as a syndicated newspaper columnist, "cowboy philosopher," radio personality and movie star, was gutted on Tuesday by the Palisades Fire.

State parks employees were able to remove some of the cultural and historical artifacts from the Rogers home, though the 31-room ranch house and stables are gone. All that remains are two chimneys.

It is unclear whether touchstones from Rogers' life, such as a light fixture made from a wagon wheel and a stuffed calf that a friend gave him so he could rope on rainy day, were recovered.

"When you were there, you could really feel the guy’s presence," said Ben Yagoda, author of "Will Rogers: A Biography," who became overcome with emotion while discussing the loss. "It was kept exactly how they had it. It’s just such a lovely location and it’s very, very peaceful."

Another casualty of the fire was the Topanga Ranch Motel once owned by publisher William Randolph Hearst.

In Altadena, the Eaton Fire claimed the Bunny Museum, the quirky home to more than 46,000 rabbit-themed objects that owners Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski collected over four decades. The museum, which earned a Guinness world record for amassing the most bunny-related items, was leveled by fire on Wednesday, despite attempts by Lubanski to save it.

"The museum was the last building to burn around us as Steve so valiantly hosed the building down all night long, but when the building next door went down, it spread to the museum," the owners wrote on Instagram.

The Reel Inn, a seafood shack on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, was heavily damaged by the Palisades Fire. The restaurant known for its kitschy decor of faux sea creatures and twinkling lights was a local favorite, according to one review from Travel + Leisure.

"We are heartbroken and unsure what will be left," owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote on Instagram. "Hopefully, the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles."

The Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion Rand McNally co-founder Andrew McNally built in the late 1800s in Altadena was among the homes destroyed on Wednesday, according to video of the fire captured by ABC News.

"We aren't just losing homes -- we're losing history, culture, and pieces of our shared history," wrote Eric B. on the social media platform X.