MAROONED
SPLENDOUR
THE FAR FLUNG GRANDEUR OF FARASAN
WRITTEN & CAPTURED BY TEE BAKER
An Island Inheritance
FARASAN, SAUDI ARABIA
JANUARY 2021
On approach, Beit Al Rifai demands admiration not simply through scale, but through the breathtaking craftsmanship that adorns every inch of its walls. Built as the residence of a wealthy pearl merchant and shaped by Indian architectural influence, its pale stone façades are etched with intricate carvings and Qur’anic inscriptions. Sun-bleached blue shutters punctuate the walls, paying quiet homage to the surrounding island. Here, the architectural grandeur is deepened rather than diminished by time.
Gravel crunches underfoot as we are led through weathered cerulean doors and into the abandoned respite of the residence. Beneath us lies a cool bed of soft sand and finely crushed seashells, once walked upon barefoot by guests and dignitaries. The surrounding stone walls, recessed with engravings, temper a strong January sun, while tall shuttered windows allow light to seep inward, catching stray grains mid-flight.
Pictured in this visual essay are Beit Al Rifai, and the nearby historic landmark, Najdi Mosque.
The Najdi Mosque
FARASAN, SAUDI ARABIA
JANUARY 2021
From its vast courtyard, wood-panelled doors welcome worshippers into the hush of the Najdi Mosque, where deep crimson carpet runs underfoot and ornate scalloped arches rise overhead. Fragments of sunlight glow through small squares of coloured stained glass set into the surrounding alcoves.
Constructed under the patronage of Imam Al Tamimi in 1917, this religious sanctuary was built in the Andalusian style and features delicate floral motifs and finely worked plaster engravings originating in India, later set in place by architects from neighbouring Yemen.
Tee Baker is the founder and editor of The Spillbook. An MA graduate in screenwriting, her work spans cultural commentary and narrative-led digital storytelling across industries. She is the author of Bark & Ink (2020), a debut poetry anthology. Away from the page, she spends her time outdoors, often on foot or on horseback.
Behind the Pour