Al Masmak Palace Exterior

The story behind the place

Al Masmak was built in 1865 as a fortified place in Riyadh. Its name is associated with the thickness of the building, a quality visible in the tall walls and four corner watchtowers. The fort is connected with the 1902 capture of Riyadh and later became a museum. That change in use adds another layer to the building’s history: a defensive structure now helps interpret the city’s past. Its plain outer surfaces contrast with the stories and rooms inside.

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