TURAIF CITADEL

Founded in the 15th century, the city of Turaif was the first capital of the Saud dynasty. The citadel is a group of palaces, houses and alleys typical of the architecture of the Najd, all made of adobe. The city participated in the diffusion of a nationalist sentiment and the Salafiyya doctrine within Islam. Its power declined in the 19th century, after its sacking by Ibrahim Pasha in 1818. The city of Turaif is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2010.

Access to At-Turaif is through the Visitors' Center, a set of buildings including a mosque. It is there that the entrance ticket is bought. It faces the Salwa Palace, which marks the entrance to the citadel.

Salwa Palace. The palace is at the foot of the city. It was the seat of power of the first Saudi state. The height of its walls gives a glimpse of the display of power at the time. It was wanted by Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al Saud, better known as Abdulaziz I, and Emir of Diriyah. He made Riyadh fall in 1773, after 25 years of assiduous battles. The palace is a set of buildings spread over 1 hectare, which were erected at different times, each emir making his contribution to the building.

Diriyah Museum. Housed in the Salwa Palace, this museum traces the history of the First and Second Saudi States. Glass and steel structures were integrated into the ruins of the palace to create the rooms.

Bait Al Mal. This house on the left side of the Salwa Palace is where the treasury of the First Saudi State was kept. Bait Al Mal was strategically located at the entrance to the city, to allow easy access for camels dumping their cargo of money. Coins from the period are on display, as well as jewelry, ornaments and measuring devices.

Sibalat Modhi. This house served as a place of welcome for traders visiting Diryah, students and the needy. Sibalah was a gift to the community and Modhi was the mother of Abdulaziz I. Modhi was the mother of Abdulaziz I. He initiated the gift and provided the funding for it. The house included rooms for teaching religion and science, rooms for sleeping and dining, rooms for storage and stables for merchants' animals.

Mosque of At-Turaïf. Built of stone and clay, it was the great mosque of the state. It is adjacent to the palace and the king was the imam. He used to deliver the preaching during the Friday prayer. Saud bin Abdulaziz had a bridge built connecting the palace floors to the mosque, to facilitate his comings and goings. A madrasa (Koranic school) was set up in the mosque.

Palace of Prince Fahd bin Saud. This two-story palace of massive construction is erected just behind the Salwa Palace. The interior cannot be visited.

Palace of Prince Ibrahim bin Saud. This palace strongly resembles that of his brother Fahd. It is in the heart of the city, just behind the mosque.

Palace of Imam Abdullah bin Saud. This vast palace built behind the palaces of the princes was the residence of the last imam and emir of the Saudi state. The very thick walls suggest that the palace was two or three stories high. The palace was sacked by the army of Ibrahim Pasha, the Egyptian general who ended the First Saudi State in 1818.

Museum of the Arabian Horse. This museum occupies part of Imam Abdullah's palace and its adjacent buildings. The horse was central to the Saudi armies, enabling them to move and fight. The House of Saud had a real veneration for these animals and raised them. It was also a symbol of wealth and Saud bin Abdulaziz and his son Abdullah owned thousands of them. The museum tells the history of the Arabian horse, its different breedings and the necessary instruments with many models.

Palace of Prince Turki bin Saud. This palace built for the son of King Saud the Great is characterized by its magnitude and its massive appearance. It is the easternmost palace in the city.

Palace of Prince Thunayan bin Saud. At the end of the city, to the southwest, this palace of the son of King Saud the Great dominates the Wadi Hubaiker. Unlike the other palaces, this one is mainly built of stone, as it rests on the banks of the river. While the riverbed was mostly dry, it could turn into a raging torrent in the rainy season.

Military museum. The museum is divided into two palaces, that of Imam Abdullah and that of Prince Thunayan. We find there the weapons used by the Saud and their troops to lead their wars: rifles, daggers, sabers...

Palace of Prince Meshari. Meshari was the brother of Imam Muhammad bin Saud. He had his palace built on two floors on the edge of the wadi Hubaiker.

Museum of traditional architecture. Ancient doors, models, descriptions of the techniques used to build houses in Diriyah and the Arabian Peninsula in general.

Palace of Prince Omar bin Saud. It is the most imposing and the most beautiful of all the palaces of At-Turaif, the best preserved too. It served as a defensive post in the northwest of the city.

Museum of social life. Objects from the eighteenth century and old photos bring to life the old palaces you just visited.

Palace of Prince Saad bin Saud. In the west of the city, this palace is a bit out of the way. Its simple plan is enhanced by the elaborate ornamentation of its façade.