Al-Masmak Palace Museum tells story of Saudi unification
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.
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