Explore the Centuries-Old Masmak Fort in Riyadh
The Al Masmak Palace which is also sometimes called Al Masmak fort is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. This century-old palace, just like its namesake which means "sturdy", has stood strong in the face of passing time and is one of the best places in Saudi Arabia for those looking to learn about the history of the past kingdoms.
This place in the modern day has been transformed into a museum that houses weapons, artworks, artifacts, and other historically significant objects. So, let's see why the Old Masmak Fort of Riyadh is a must-visit place in Saudi Arabia.
History and Background
To start, let's discuss the history of this majestic fort. This fort's construction was started in 1865 by the Emir of Najd, Abdullah bin Faisal and then later was finished by the Emir of Riyadh in 1895. The palace proved itself as a formidable defensive measure against aggressors and posed quite a challenge to those looking to breach its sturdy walls.
This palace played a crucial role in the battle of Riyadh which happened during 1902. The battle is a significant event in the history of Saudi Arabia due to it bringing the unification of Saudi Arabia into one nation. The palace was owned by the at this time House of Rasheed but was later claimed by Abdulaziz ibn Saud in 1902.
The king invaded the palace accompanied by 63 men. These 63 men played a crucial role in King Abdulaziz's invasion of Al Masmak palace in 1902. Their invasion was a success and the Rashidi belonging to the house of Rasheed who resided here were overthrown; this victory is marked as a very significant point in the history of Saudi Arabia.
This resulted in the formation of the 3rd Saudi state and the eventual unification of the entire Saudi Arabia region on September 23, 1932. All 63 men were called heroes and they were honored by having their names archived on the memorial. Out of these men, 10 belonged to the Saudi Royal Family while the others were from many different Arabian Peninsula families.
It has 4 large watchtowers, cannons, and extremely sturdy walls made from bricks of clay and mud. This palace was built to serve a variety of different purposes but was most commonly used for munitions storage up until 1938. In 1979 a restorative effort was undertaken to restore the palace to its former state and then in 1995, the palace was repurposed as a museum.
Architecture
Now that we all know the background and historical significance, let’s proceed to what we can expect when we visit this place. The entire palace is built with clay and mud bricks which signifies the medieval methods of building architecture.
Al Masmak Palace has 4 iconic watchtowers that provide excellent vantage points of the surrounding area and sturdy walls which have experienced a lot of battles over the years. All of the features present in the palace represent the Najd architectural style of Saudi Arabia.
As discussed before, the palace has been converted into a museum in modern times and has been divided into six sections for tourists to visit and take a look at the medieval marbles of Saudi Arabian culture such as medieval agricultural tools, weapons, art pieces, and other objects.
General Information Regarding Visits to Al Masmak Palace
Before you visit Al Masmak Palace, remember this information as it will help you in having a smooth exploration session of the majestic palace grounds. The first thing you should remember is to dress in a modest manner because otherwise, the locals will cause trouble for you.
Next, while there are no entry fees that you need to pay to enter the palace, there are designated parking slots where you will be charged some parking fees. The palace grounds open at 8:00 AM every day for visitors except on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the palace is open at 4:00 PM while on Saturdays it is open at 9:00 AM.
Lastly, photography is allowed in most areas of the palace grounds but remember that not every place allows photography so remain vigilant for signs telling you that no photography is allowed. If you are unsure whether you are allowed to take a photograph somewhere, then ask an official closeby for clarity.
A Visit Inside the Premises
Moving on from the basic introductions, now we can proceed to talk about what you can find inside the Al Masmak Palace. Upon entering the premises, the first thing you will notice is the maze-like structure which was meant to confuse and deter attackers while preventing convicts from escaping.
Entrance
You can also take a look at the patio which describes the palace's history as a prison and a munitions storage facility. Speaking of the history of Al Masmak Palace, there is a very popular movie that perfectly shows the wars that took place to invade the palace and how the ruling monarchy was brought into existence.
If you are not an Arabic speaker, don't worry as the movie does have English subtitles for you to understand what is going on. While you are here, be sure to pay a visit to the tiny mosque used by the residents of this palace. You will also learn here the history of Riyadh itself, how it was recaptured, and how it became the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Galleries
There are multiple galleries present inside the premises with the first one showing the evolution of Saudi Arabia over the past 300 years. The Pioneer Gallery is especially worth looking into as it has a memorial with a list that contains the names of the 63 men who accompanied King Abdulaziz.
Moving on from the Pioneer Gallery, you will also discover a miniature version of the Al Masmak palace here. There is also the photographer's Gallery where pictures from the 1930s, 1940, and 1950 are presented showing the rich history of Saudi Arabia's capital.
Once you are done exploring the six galleries of the museum, head to one of the towers of the palace. From here you can get a nice view of the different regions surrounding the palace like the Hijaz, Najd, Asir, and the Eastern province.
You can also see how different the architecture found in each of these regions is from the others because of the distinct climate each region experiences. Another observation you will make here is of the decorations of painted palm trees on the rooftops of the palace and the embellishments of Taramic and Ethel wood.
Outside the Premises
The outside of the palace is also a noteworthy place as this is a large market complex where you can find all sorts of apparel, pieces of jewelry, tailored suits, and trinkets. If the palace becomes too tiring to explore, then take a casual stroll around this marketplace to relax.
Riyadh is a place that has a lot of significance in the history of Saudi Arabia. Out of all the places the capital of Saudi Arabia has on offer for tourists to visit, the magnificent Al Masmak Palace is one of the best and is a must-visit place for any visitors of the capital looking to immerse themselves in the rich history of Saudi Arabia.
We hope that the above-mentioned guide did a good job of informing you about what you can expect during your visit there. So, if you are looking to visit Al Masmak Palace, research online the requirements for a Saudi Arabia e-visa and what you will need for your visit.
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One of the best destinations for tourists looking for a trip in the Middle East is the country of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the home of several ancient human civilizations and cultures along with being the birthplace of the Islamic Religion. Among the many amazing places in Saudi Arabia, the city of Jeddah is among its best locations for tourism. Learn more at Best Places to Explore in Jeddah.
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