- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1865 · 19th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Style
- Najdi architecture
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 24.6311°, 46.7133°
History
Work on the fort, of clay and mud brick on a stone footing, was begun in 1865 by Abdullah bin Faisal, Emir of Najd, of the House of Saud. Weakened by internal feuds, the Saudis soon lost power to the Rashidi dynasty of Ha'il, who completed the fortress around 1895, while the Saudis were forced into exile in Kuwait. In January 1902 the young Abdulaziz ibn Saud and a small band surprised the Rashidi governor Ajlan outside the fort's gate and took the city – the event that marks the beginning of the state that grew into Saudi Arabia. Until 1938, when the court moved to the new Murabba Palace, the fortress served as an arsenal. Restoration began after 1979, and a museum opened here in 1995.
What to see
The fort has thick clay walls, four corner watchtowers and a main tower, with its rooms arranged around a courtyard with a well. Visitors see the mosque, a reception hall with timber ceilings and a museum of photographs, maps and weapons telling the story of the capture of Riyadh. It stands in the historic Dirah district, near the traditional souq.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q751987
Popularity: articles about this site in 22 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).