Highlights
- A two-hour tour through the exceptional design of Masmak palace
- The historic palace displays vivid images of the story of the unification of the Kingdom, including the battle to retake Riyadh. Visual displays and ancient historical remains hang on its walls.
- Masmak Mud Brick palace in the heart of the capital, Riyadh
- The mud-brick Al-Masmak Palace in the center of the capital, Riyadh
- Interpretive displays showcasing Saudi Arabia's heritage
- Masmak Palace, a symbol of heroism and courage in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Al-Masmak Palace was given this name due to the thickness of its walls and its high height
Overview
AlMasmak palace is a symbol of heroism and courage in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the center of the capital, Riyadh, it is the site of the beginning of the founding of the modern Saudi state. This mud fort dates back to the late 19th century, when it was the site of a decisive battle in which King Abdulaziz recaptured Riyadh. Today, the history of Masmak Fort is presented through a museum that tells the story of unification, struggle and heroism that led to the founding of the Kingdom.
Details
Step back in time and discover the captivating architectural wonders of the renowned Al Masmak Palace in the heart of Riyadh. On this 2-hour guided tour, you'll learn about the rich history and remarkable design of this 14th-century Hijri fortress-turned-museum.
Explore the palace's imposing high walls, sturdy construction, and strategically placed gun openings, which showcase its formidable defensive capabilities from bygone eras.
Intricate Architectural Details: Admire the intricate craftsmanship and traditional Arabian architectural elements, such as the ornate doorways, arched windows, and elegant courtyards.
Masmak Palace, built in 1895 in the Deira neighborhood of mud bricks, was originally called Masmak due to the thickness and height of its walls. It represents the site that witnessed the beginning of the establishment of the modern Saudi state after the Battle of Riyadh in the early twentieth century. Its traces still remain on the door of Masmak Palace, which is represented by mark of the point of a spear. The door still stands to this day. Masmak Palace is one of the few authentic buildings in Riyadh today.
Masmak Palace was used as a weapons and ammunition store during the reign of King Abdulaziz after the fall of Riyadh in 1902 for two years, then it was turned into a prison before becoming a famous and well-known archaeological landmark containing an art museum for the unification of the Kingdom.
The most prominent features of the design of Masmak Palace:
Masmak Gate:
A gate made of palm trunks and tamarisk containing three beams, each 25 cm thick, designed with a height of 3.6 m and a width of 2.65 m. The thickness of the gate is 10 cm, and it contains a very small gate in the middle, sufficient for one person at most to pass through.
Masmak Mosque:
Masmak Palace contains a mosque to the left of the palace entrance, which is a large room containing several columns and a number of shelves on the walls to preserve the Holy Quran. The mosque also contains a mihrab and multiple ventilation holes in the walls and ceiling to keep the mosque well ventilated.
Majlis:
It is a rectangular room in front of the entrance with lights and ventilation holes
Well:
There is a water well on the northeastern side of the palace entrance that draws water using a fixed filter placed on the mouth of the well, and the water is drawn by a bucket
Towers:
There are four cylindrical columns in the four corners of the palace, each tower is 18 meters high and 1.25 meters thick, and the fifth square tower is located in the middle of Masmak Palace to supervise the palace.
Masmak Square:
There is a main square of the palace surrounded by rooms with columns connected internally to each other and three private residential units
Today, the history of Masmak Palace is displayed through a museum that tells the story of unification, struggle and heroism that led to the founding of the kingdom.
During this two-hour tour, your experienced guide will walk you through the history of Masmak palace , explaining how its architecture has evolved to stand the test of time and remain a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s resilience. Prepare to be amazed by the timeless elegance and enduring strength of Masmak palace , a true architectural gem that continues to inspire and educate visitors.
Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable guide will bring the palace's history to life, offering insights into how its architecture has evolved to withstand the test of time and remain a symbol of Saudi Arabia's resilience.
Prepare to be captivated by the timeless elegance and enduring strength of the Al Masmak Palace, a true architectural gem that continues to inspire and educate visitors.
Explore the palace's imposing high walls, sturdy construction, and strategically placed gun openings, which showcase its formidable defensive capabilities from bygone eras.
Intricate Architectural Details: Admire the intricate craftsmanship and traditional Arabian architectural elements, such as the ornate doorways, arched windows, and elegant courtyards.
Masmak Palace, built in 1895 in the Deira neighborhood of mud bricks, was originally called Masmak due to the thickness and height of its walls. It represents the site that witnessed the beginning of the establishment of the modern Saudi state after the Battle of Riyadh in the early twentieth century. Its traces still remain on the door of Masmak Palace, which is represented by mark of the point of a spear. The door still stands to this day. Masmak Palace is one of the few authentic buildings in Riyadh today.
Masmak Palace was used as a weapons and ammunition store during the reign of King Abdulaziz after the fall of Riyadh in 1902 for two years, then it was turned into a prison before becoming a famous and well-known archaeological landmark containing an art museum for the unification of the Kingdom.
The most prominent features of the design of Masmak Palace:
Masmak Gate:
A gate made of palm trunks and tamarisk containing three beams, each 25 cm thick, designed with a height of 3.6 m and a width of 2.65 m. The thickness of the gate is 10 cm, and it contains a very small gate in the middle, sufficient for one person at most to pass through.
Masmak Mosque:
Masmak Palace contains a mosque to the left of the palace entrance, which is a large room containing several columns and a number of shelves on the walls to preserve the Holy Quran. The mosque also contains a mihrab and multiple ventilation holes in the walls and ceiling to keep the mosque well ventilated.
Majlis:
It is a rectangular room in front of the entrance with lights and ventilation holes
Well:
There is a water well on the northeastern side of the palace entrance that draws water using a fixed filter placed on the mouth of the well, and the water is drawn by a bucket
Towers:
There are four cylindrical columns in the four corners of the palace, each tower is 18 meters high and 1.25 meters thick, and the fifth square tower is located in the middle of Masmak Palace to supervise the palace.
Masmak Square:
There is a main square of the palace surrounded by rooms with columns connected internally to each other and three private residential units
Today, the history of Masmak Palace is displayed through a museum that tells the story of unification, struggle and heroism that led to the founding of the kingdom.
During this two-hour tour, your experienced guide will walk you through the history of Masmak palace , explaining how its architecture has evolved to stand the test of time and remain a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s resilience. Prepare to be amazed by the timeless elegance and enduring strength of Masmak palace , a true architectural gem that continues to inspire and educate visitors.
Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable guide will bring the palace's history to life, offering insights into how its architecture has evolved to withstand the test of time and remain a symbol of Saudi Arabia's resilience.
Prepare to be captivated by the timeless elegance and enduring strength of the Al Masmak Palace, a true architectural gem that continues to inspire and educate visitors.
Know Before You Go
• Dress respectfully, especially when visiting religious sites.
• Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as Riyadh can be hot during the day and cooler at night.
• Respect local customs and traditions, including cultural norms regarding greetings and interactions.
• Be prepared for some walking and wear comfortable shoes.
• Stay hydrated and carry sunscreen, especially during the warmer months.
• Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as Riyadh can be hot during the day and cooler at night.
• Respect local customs and traditions, including cultural norms regarding greetings and interactions.
• Be prepared for some walking and wear comfortable shoes.
• Stay hydrated and carry sunscreen, especially during the warmer months.
What To Bring
• Comfortable walking shoes to explore all these amazing sites, so make sure your shoes are up to the task.
• A reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated especially when you’re active sightseeing. Bring a large bottle to refill throughout the day.
• A mobile phone battery pack to make sure you can charge your phone or camera to capture all the eye-popping architecture.
• A reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated especially when you’re active sightseeing. Bring a large bottle to refill throughout the day.
• A mobile phone battery pack to make sure you can charge your phone or camera to capture all the eye-popping architecture.
Location
3164 الثميري, الدحو, Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
