A Dream of AlUla. Photographs by Gilles Bensimon. Rizzoli 2021

A visual exploration of fabled landscapes and historical gems, this magnificent volume celebrates the rich culture of AlUla, through the lens of Gilles Bensimon. The AlUla valley is a natural, historical, and cultural site in northwestern Arabia, located on the ancient Incense Route. It features grandiose natural landscapes, oases, and ancient settlements dating back 8,000 years. Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra–where exceptionally preserved tombs of the Nabataean age show elaborate facades cut out of sandstone outcrops–it’s a hidden treasure awaiting to be discovered.

A journey through time and the senses, this oversized tome offers the unique experience of traveling to a mythical land and little-known paradise, bringing alive the Lihyanite, Dadanite, Nabataean, and Pre-Islamic times from AlUla’s past through to its present day.

Exclusive images by the acclaimed photographer Gilles Bensimon reveal the poetic aspects and magnificence of age-old desert landscapes and highlight the lives they are home to. From lush green oases to barren expanses; from drifting sand to basalt uplands; from geomorphological wonders to millennia-old inscriptions, these are just some of the unforgettable scenes of AlUla.

Gilles Bensimon is an acclaimed photographer renowned for his work in fashion and haute couture. The former International Creative Director for Elle magazine has worked with celebrities and models, including Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. In “A Dream of AlUla,” his muse is the rich history, natural beauty, and cultural significance of this northwestern Arabian destination.