Hero photography of The Chedi Hegra by Gerry O’Leary
Hegra, or Mada’in Salah in Arabic, is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the Medina Province. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph The Chedi Hegra, a luxury retreat fashioned from an old railway station. I’ve kindly been permitted to share these images with you.
I’ve carried out some incredible architectural photography shoots in cool locations, though few as historic as Hegra. This wasn’t my first time visiting AlUla, I’d previously been to photograph the nearby Maraya Concert Hall, the largest mirrored building in the world, however this trip also piqued my interest, as The Chedi is housed in an abandoned railway station that has been transformed into a luxury retreat.
Showcasing Ancient Heritage & Opulence Through Exterior Photography
The Chedi Hegra is a fantastic representation of adaptive reuse, transforming the historic Hegra Train Station into a boutique hotel with just 35 rooms, suites, and villas. Each accommodation integrates original architectural elements, preserving the essence of the site while providing modern comforts.
The property is surrounded by Hegra, the ancient Nabataean city and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. Dating back to the 1st century BCE, this archaeological treasure was once a bustling city along the Incense Road, a vital trade route linking the Arabian countries to the Mediterranean.
The Nabatean tombs nearby are only one of a few examples of a thriving civilisation that existed along these trade routes, with more evidence at Petra in Jordan. The remarkable landscape contributes to this feeling of history echoing through the eras as I set up each image.
Capturing a Legacy Through My Lens
As I stood amidst the vast, silent desert, setting up my equipment amid striking rock formations, I couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of the project. The Hegra Train Station, built in 1907 as part of the Hejaz Railway, once served as a critical connection between Damascus and Medina, facilitating the movement of pilgrims and goods. Abandoned after World War I, the station was left to the sands of time until the Royal Commission for AlUla undertook its restoration.
The hotel’s design, led by Milan-based studio Giò Forma, strikes a beautiful balance between conserving the heritage of the building while bringing a contemporary and luxury feel to the hotel. I loved the
One of its features I particularly like is the Shadow Canopy, known as Lamellae — a 700-meter structure that artfully ties together historic railway tracks with innovative modern design. For guests, they can immerse themselves in the rich history of the area, with access to the necropolis, rock formations, and curated art installations, including Silent Witnesses of the Past by Monika Sosnowska, crafted from repurposed steel rails from the Hegra Railway.
The Chedi Hegra embodies a new chapter for the building, bringing all of the stories of the past together with the stories the guests will create within its walls.
My Challenge as a Luxury Hotel Photographer
I knew I needed to do justice to the property’s unique setting, which combines the rugged beauty of the AlUla desert with the sleek sophistication of modern architecture. One image, in particular, pushed me to my creative limits — a masterful landscape shot showcasing the hotel’s centrepiece, a striking glass pavilion, set against the dramatic desert backdrop.
This single image (above) took over two hours to complete. Timing was everything. I started as the sun began to set, capturing the warm, golden light that highlights the sculptural forms of AlUla’s sandstone formations.
As the natural light faded, the focus shifted to the glass structure itself, illuminated from within and glowing like a beacon in the surrounding darkness. Combining these two moments — a sunset drenched in the stunning natural desert light and the evening’s artificial glow from within — required precise planning and execution. The final image was a meticulous fusion of these elements, creating a composition that speaks to the harmony between nature and design, history and innovation.
Distinctive Details
It’s a lovely bonus to my role as a hospitality photographer that I get to admire and photograph excellent design. It pleases my aesthetic how Giò Forma placed doorways under the curve of railway arches and the way the sandstone has been reflected in warm caramel tones of the soft furnishings such as leather. The black metal accents throughout reflect the former railway tracks that once led away from this polished structure.
Returning to Saudi Arabia to photograph The Chedi Hegra was a privilege and I hope to return again. The pre-opening photography shoot was a superb reminder that I have the honour of telling unique stories through my images, bringing viewers into fascinating destinations that they may never have seen before.
If you wish to read more about the accommodation and experience, you can read about it here in Conde Nast’s recent article, featuring my photography.
Exterior hotel photography at The Chedi Hegra by Gerry O’Leary
As a UAE-based hospitality photographer, I am available for hotel and resort photography in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and India. Please get in touch to discuss if you have an upcoming project.
