The photographer shot Saudi Arabia when not a single tourist was allowed there.

Saudi Arabia was the most inaccessible country for non-Muslims in the world because it did not issue tourist visas. Only Muslims who performed the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) were allowed to enter this state. But now, it seems, big changes have ripened in this matter. The head of the Commission on Tourism and National Heritage of Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that in the first quarter of 2018 the country will begin issuing tourist visas.

A few years ago, the government already issued tourist visas, but this did not last long. Then, before this was put to an end, the famous photographer Eric Lufffort was lucky enough to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist. He took full advantage of a rare opportunity to visit a country that regularly “makes” bright headlines and provides informational occasions for all international media. For two weeks, Lufforg explored a culture maintained by a very conservative society and took many interesting, important photographs.

The photographer says that before you go to Saudi Arabia, you need to leave the following things at home:

• any alcohol (including chocolate with alcohol)
• non-muslim religious subjects
• pork products
• pornographic publications
• gambling
• codeine-containing medicines

Throughout our stay here, a police escort cleared the way for us - officially, to facilitate our movement.

"The beginning of the sacred area."

People here like to say that if you see an open door, you can go in and they will offer you tea.

No, we are not in a Swiss chalet, we are in a tent in the Saudi desert.

Hunting with a falcon in the desert of Al-Juf.

Saudi camels.

Each encounter with a Bedouin is an opportunity to try some foamy camel milk.

Saudi Arabia is the third largest producer of dates in the world, they are everywhere.

The only women you can talk to on the street are immigrants who are also all Muslims.

Under the weight of the traditions of their ancestors, women are denied many rights in Saudi Arabia.

Without the permission of a male guardian (whether it is a husband, father or brother), women can do almost nothing. This applies to such simple things as drinking coffee in the courtyard, swimming in the pool, enrolling in a university, going to a restaurant, and even cycling.

Revolving covers for men in the Najran market.

In the south of the country very often you can meet very young drivers.

Society in Saudi Arabia has many rules that divide people according to their social status. The sign says "Entrance for unmarried / unmarried people."

Saudi men rub their noses to greet each other.

Many imagine that the kingdom is replete with luxurious buildings and other attributes of wealth.

Somali girl begging in the streets of Jeddah.

Flea market in Najran.

Until recently, these towers were used as granaries.

Florist living in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

The architecture of old Jeddah recalls the "Tales of a Thousand and One Nights."

Some of these buildings were erected many centuries ago.

The Hijaz Railway was designed by the Ottoman Empire to transport pilgrims to the holy cities of Medina and Mecca in the early 20th century.

The Al Hamra Open Air Museum in Jeddah is the largest such museum in the world.

Extravagance is one of the main features of urban design in Saudi Arabia.

Watch the video: 10 Things You're Not Allowed To Do In SAUDI ARABIA (May 2024).