Riyadh, known as Riyad is a large modern city built on the place of an ancient settlement, conquered by Ibn Saud. At the main door of the fort can be seen Masmak spear, which, according to the legend, killed a Turkish governor. The old city has remained pretty bad – only a few palaces of the traditional style, the fort and the ruins of the eastern rabat, winding streets of which are decorated with classic wattle and daub houses. There is a small covered market and fortified palace there.
Almost all the houses in Riyadh are not more than half a century. Most of the buildings were built in the 1980s. However, that is really worth a seeing, so these are magnificent mosques, which are about 140 here.
Despite the fact that Riyadh is the official capital of Saudi Arabia, to the 1980s almost all commercial enterprises, foreign governments and ministries were in Jeddah. Only in the early 1980s, they moved to the diplomatic quarter. It is for this reason that the city is not full of foreign enterprises or institutions. It is the political center of the country, which is perfectly preserved traditional flavor.
When the deposits of oil were found in the country, the city turned into a jungle of concrete and glass with many hotels, hospitals, infrastructure and the biggest airport in the world.
Now let’s make a guide tour of the main landmarks in this city. First place of interest which is popular among tourists is Museum of Riyadh. Museum of Riyadh is the western part of the Al-Batal. The museum has a large collection of exhibits that shows the rich history of the whole Arabian state. Its beginning stretches from the Bronze Age. In the museum, in the ethnographic hall, visitors can see the weapons, tools, household items of the ancient Arab tribes. In this museum you can trace the course of the Islam birth. Here is a unique hall of Islamic traditional architecture. All names of exhibits written in two languages: Arabic and English.
Second must-visit landmark of this city is Skyscraper Kingdom Centre.
Skyscraper Kingdom Centre was planned as a symbol of the country. Its design was determined during three years, and more than 100 variants were offered. Skyscraper Kingdom Centre until 2002 was regarded as the highest in the country, its height is 311 meters, and the building area is 94 sq. meters. The building has 47 floors and includes 5-star hotel, offices of the major banks in the country, meeting rooms, banquet room and others. With each of the four sides the building has its own entrance for different purposes.
A feature of the skyscraper is its top: a triangular hole with 56 meter long bridge, which also serves as an observation deck.
Let’s make a tour to the oldest city and the first capital of Saudi Arabia – Dirayya.
The first capital of Saudi Arabia is only 20 km from the present one and is called Dirayya. Dirayya was founded in 1446. Once it was a prosperous city. Today, it is almost in ruins and debris. However, there are the remains of walls, palaces and several large mosques. All this gives us a glimpse of life in Diraye of those days. This fortress town was the property of the family of al-Aziz that time, which played a big role in the life of the country. In 1745, two influential imams introduced reforms in the Islamic world. They encouraged people to return to the true faith and reject polytheism.
City Dirayya flourished for three centuries, but at the beginning of the XIX century it was destroyed by the Turks. Now archaeological digs, restoration work and guided tours are held there.
Don’t forget to enjoy the views of one of the oldest fortresses known as Musmak.
Musmak fortress was built in 1865 and first belonged to King Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Rashid. Then then fortress was conquered by the King Abdul Aziz, so the architecture of the fortress had been amended at the beginning.
Before becoming a museum, the fortress was used as a warehouse. Now the fortress is a museum and Heritage Center.
Those who are interested can visit the fortress; explore its impressive rooms, a mosque, gate which is like massive structure of the trunks of palm trees. The watchtowers of 18 meters each at the corners of the fortress also make the impression. In the center is a square observation tower.
Enjoy perfect views of this hot Arabic city and be ready to spend great time here.