At-Turaif is a historic area in Diriyah, which is located northwest of Riyadh. It is considered one of the most important political and historical places in Saudi Arabia because it was the capital of the early Saudi kingdom. This area was the original home of the House of Saud and served as the country's first capital from 1727 until the Ottoman Empire took control of the area in 1818.

History

At-Turaif was established in the 15th century. On July 31, 2010, UNESCO included it on the World Heritage List because of its Najdi architecture. At-Turaif also played a key role in the political unification of the Arabian Peninsula, acting as the capital of an independent Arab state and marking an important stage in the settlement of the Najd region.

In 1818, the Ottomans attacked and destroyed At-Turaif during the Siege of Diriyah. The area was then abandoned in favor of Riyadh and remained empty until 2000. At that time, the Ad-Diriyah Development Authority was tasked with restoring the site. This project aimed to transform the largely unknown settlement into a major international tourist destination.

Historic palaces and monuments At-Turaif

Historic palaces and monuments in the At-Turaif district are located in the following places:

• Salwa Palace
• Saad bin Saud Palace
• Guest House and At-Turaif Bath House
• Imam Mohammad bin Saud Mosque

At-Turaif restoration program

In December 2018, Saudi Arabia began a repair and preservation project for the At-Turaif historic district. The goal was to record information about its ancient sites and turn the area into a public museum.

This project was part of Saudi Arabia's "Saudi Vision 2030" plan, which seeks to grow both local and global tourism.

The At-Turaif Living Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was named the National Winner in the Social, Cultural and Heritage Project of the Year category at the 2020 MEED Project Awards.

Gallery

• Salwa Palace
• Salwa Palace
• Al-Turaif Mosque
• Arda House
• Traditional wooden door
• Costume of Imam Abdullah bin Saud displayed in Diriyah Gallery
• Trade and Treasury Gallery