Walk through the lanes of Jazirat Al Hamra village in Ras Al Khaimah, with today’s Reader picture essay.

With roots in the 16th century, Jazirat Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah is a town that has long been abandoned. Although over the years it has gained a reputation for paranormal sightings, this spooky town is also one of the oldest and bestpreserved coastal villages in the UAE. Gulf News reader Ajita Nayar visited the town and shared these pictures. Editor’s note: Send us your picture essays at readers@gulfnews.com

Nayar said: “Heroes are still remembered among the ruins. I came across some drawings of soldiers on the walls of dilapidated homes.”

Nayar tried to create a spooky moment for a unique picture opportunity. She said: “A staged image of an unknown character darting through the lanes.”

Walking around the empty buildings, Nayar said it was surreal to think this ‘was someone’s home’ before it was abandoned. The town was a pearling hub and Bedouin trading post.

Nayar said: “This was once someone’s vehicle, but it is now just a mass of rusted metal.”

Around 200 people lived in this small village in the 1800s, with the population swelling to 2,000 in the 20th century.

The village consists of 334 historic buildings, including 18 shops, 11 mosques and two schools.