Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Inspects King Abdulaziz International Airport's Readiness for Pilgrims' Departure
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Arab News
37 minutes ago
- Arab News
Al-Masmak Palace Museum tells story of Saudi unification
RIYADH: Located in the Al-Thumairi neighborhood, Al-Masmak Palace Museum stands as a powerful symbol of Saudi Arabia's unification and its founding era under King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud. The fort was originally built in 1865 during the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud. On the morning of Jan. 15, 1902), King Abdulaziz Al-Saud recaptured Riyadh from within its walls, marking the beginning of the Kingdom's unification. The fort was used to store weapons and ammunition before being restored as a historic and cultural monument. Al-Masmak spans 3,885 sq. meters and is constructed from clay mixed with straw, with a stone foundation. Its exterior walls are plastered with clay, while gypsum decorates the interior. The building has two floors and around 44 rooms, including six courtyards, a mosque, majlis (traditional sitting room), a water well and three residential wings for the ruler, the treasury and guests. It features a western gate made of palm and tamarisk trunks which stands 3.6 meters high and 2.65 meters wide. A smaller opening, the khooqah, is built into the gate for controlled access. Surveillance points were also designed as protruding wall openings resembling wooden boxes. Inside, geometric plasterwork in triangles and circles is inspired by nature, with motifs such as palm trees, stars and crescents. The palace also includes four corner towers for defense, an interior mosque with a mihrab, a square observation tower called Al-Murabba, and various decorative and structural elements consistent with Najdi architectural styles. In 1979, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, then governor of Riyadh region, directed that the fort be preserved and restored as a national landmark. The site was handed over to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in 1983. Under royal directive, Al-Masmak became a museum narrating the story of the Kingdom's founding which officially opened on June 11, 1995. There are sections such as Al-Masmak Conquest Hall, which recounts a historic battle and features old maps, weapons and rare photographs. The audiovisual hall shows a documentary in two languages, while the Pioneers Hall honors the men who helped recapture Riyadh. The Historical Riyadh Hall documents the city's development through maps and historical photos. Other exhibition areas include the Well Courtyard, displaying traditional tools and cannons used by the army. Al-Masmak Fort Hall has models and information panels, and Al-Masmak Usage Hall presents the fort's evolving roles. Display cases throughout the museum feature artifacts such as traditional weapons, garments and construction tools, giving visitors a glimpse into the Kingdom's cultural journey. Today, Al-Masmak continues its mission under the Ministry of Culture and Museums Commission, following extensive modernization and efforts. It remains a vital educational and national landmark, preserving and presenting one of the Kingdom's most defining moments.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Saudi royal reserve welcomes Nubian ibex twins
RIYADH: Two Nubian ibexes have been born at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, marking the first successful breeding of the goat species as part of the reserve's rewilding program, part of the ongoing restoration of 23 native species in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by the reserve's development authority. The Nubian ibex is listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 5,000 mature individuals remaining worldwide. Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve, told Arab News: 'The reserve's rewilding strategy follows scientific best practices. Historically native species are reintroduced and managed by vets and specialist rangers.' He added: 'This includes a controlled diet and constant monitoring to ensure optimal breeding conditions. Programs are underway to restore ibex ecosystems to support viable wild populations under ranger protection.' The Nubian ibex is the smallest of five ibex species and is well adapted to Saudi Arabia's arid mountains. Their concave hooves help them navigate steep cliffs, making the reserve's terrain a suitable habitat for them. Ancient petroglyphs in the area document the ibex's historical presence there. Zaloumis said the births mean that four species have now been successfully bred in the program: the Nubian ibex, the Arabian oryx, the sand gazelle, and the mountain gazelle. The reserve's sandstone massif Jabal Qaraqir, currently on Saudi Arabia's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, provides refuge for a number of species, with its cliffs and Wadi Al-Disah Valley offering year-round water and natural protection. The reserve's Integrated Development Plan 'ensures a science-based approach to habitat restoration,' according to a statement. So far, 11 of the 23 native species selected for reintroduction have returned to the wild, with populations growing through collaborative conservation efforts, including a partnership with the National Center for Wildlife. The 24,500 sq. km reserve extends from the Harrat lava plains to the Red Sea, linking NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It hosts the Public Investment Fund's Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global's Destination AMAALA. The reserve covers 15 different ecosystems. And while it represents just one percent of the Kingdom's land and 1.8 percent of its marine area, it contains more than half of the Kingdom's species — making it among the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East. The reserve is 'focused on restoring and conserving natural and cultural environments, including reintroducing 23 historically native species such as the Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx, and Lappet-faced vulture' as part of its rewilding program.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Fruit exhibition launched in Buraidah Dates City
BURAIDAH: The 'Atayeb Thimar Al-Qassim' exhibition (Arabic for 'Al-Qassim fruit delights') launched at Al-Nakhla Center in Buraidah Dates City on Thursday. The event is organized by the Emirate of Al-Qassim in collaboration with Al-Qassim Chamber of Commerce and attracted a large number of farmers and people interested in the food and agriculture sectors. The exhibition will run for three days, displaying a wide array of seasonal agricultural crops for which Al-Qassim region is renowned. These include watermelons, melons, strawberries, grapes, pomegranates, peaches, and figs. A special highlight of the exhibition is a display of more than 150 varieties of pumpkins, including giant pumpkins weighing more than 500 kilograms. This feature aims to show the skill of local farmers and the richness of regional agricultural production. Salman Al-Suwainea, director general of the Qassim branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, said that 'the region is distinguished by its unique agricultural diversity, which has helped cement its status as a leading agricultural hub across the Kingdom.'
