The archaeological value of
Dir’iyah lies in the fact that it has a known chronology dating from its rise in 1744 to its fall in 1818. As a result it is a reference for sites across the Middle East. The old city was constructed almost entirely of mud-brick buildings surrounded by a 14-kilometre wall with watchtowers. Today, visitors will find several Al Saud palaces in the Dir’iyah district, including the Royal Palace (Salwa Palace), settlement areas from the first Saudi state and public buildings (Dreesha Fortress, for example).
Opening times: Daily, 9am to 4pm Group size up to 20, ideal for architecture enthusiasts
unesco.org
MURABBA PALACE Home of the fi rst king of modern- day Saudi Arabia, Murabba district served as a seat of government in the 1930s. It came about because the old Riyadh city had become too crowded to accommodate any more buildings so the new palaces were built outside in a single compound. These buildings were called the Murabba Complex and one of these palaces housed the king’s administrative headquarters.
ALSO TRY
NATURE-INSPIRED ATTRACTIONS
Like an oasis, Riyadh
features a number of natural offerings that celebrate the country’s rich desert landscape.
SAFARI TRIPS
Heading out a few miles into the outskirts of Riyadh will take visitors to the pristine desert surrounding the city – a perfect playground for those seeking to engage in activities such as desert driving, biking and camel or horse riding. Some of these areas,
including the Al-Tumamah, Rawdat Al-Mahaiyah, Al-Kharrarah, Rawdat Khraim and the Rawdat Al-Tanhat also feature
desert camps where visitors can enjoy modern amenities in a unique desert setting.
3 THE ZOO
Visitors travelling in groups with their families will be
impressed by the diversity of animals residing in Te Zoo, one of the oldest and largest in the kingdom. Te Zoo is located in the Malaz district in downtown Riyadh, along Al-Ahsa Road.
SALAM PARK Featuring a large lake,
recreational and sports sections, Salam Park plays a similar role in Riyadh as Hyde Park in London. Located in downtown Riyadh, it
provides a charming refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. Te huge artificial lake has become the most attractive feature of the park as fishing is a popular pastime in the capital.
HANIFA VALLEY (WADI HANIFA)
One of the most significant natural features of Riyadh,
Wadi Hanifa runs a length of over 120 square kilometres from north to south of the capital. A protected natural reserve, it contains a huge body of water beneficial to the city’s agricultural industry.
The king’s impressive palace,
completed two years later, would later become the venue of an historic agreement signed to begin oil exploration in the kingdom. On the upper levels, visitors will find traditional crafts and clothing on display. Also located within the
Murabba district is the King Abdulaziz Memorial Hall, which contains historical materials about the life of the kingdom’s founder and the events that happened during his lifetime.
Opening times: Thu to Fri 9am to noon and weekdays 4pm to 9pm Ideal for afternoon tours and for avoiding the heat +966 1 4011999
scta.gov.sa
2
CITY CHARM Riyadh’s towering skyscrapers offer a stark contrast to its other- wise traditional character. Replete with coffee shops, malls and
several commercial establish- ments, including the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), the capital’s cityscape is an impressive sight.
Al Faisaliah Tower Built in 2000, the Al Faisaliah Tower is a multi-purpose building that houses the luxury property Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, as well as exclusive restaurants, offices, apartments, a shopping mall featuring international retail brands and an observation deck that provides a bird’s-eye view of Riyadh.
Kingdom Tower Located in the Al-Olaya area, this imposing modern structure was launched in 2002 and has since become one of the most recog- nisable landmarks in the capital. Occupying a space of around 94,230 square metres, the tower is home to the three-level Al Mamlaka shopping mall, apartment units and the 197-bedroom and 53-suite Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
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