King Abdulaziz Historical Palace stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s most important historical sites. Built in 1940, this palace tells the story of Saudi Arabia’s founding king and his vision for the kingdom.
š Facts About King Abdulaziz Historical Palace Al-Kharj
- Builder: Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud
- Built: 1940 (over 80 years ago)
- Location: Al-Aziziyah Neighborhood, Al-Saih City, Al-Kharj Governorate
- Size: 1,725 square meters
- Floors: Two floors with Islamic architecture
- Special Name: “Qasr Mushrif” (Overlooking Palace)
- Purpose: Royal residence and guest reception
- Current Status: Restored heritage site hosting national celebrations
Where You Find the Palace
The palace sits in Al-Aziziyah Neighborhood in Al-Saih City. Al-Saih serves as the main city of Al-Kharj Governorate in Riyadh Province. You reach Al-Kharj easily since the area acts as the southern gateway to Riyadh.
Why King Abdulaziz Built This Palace
King Abdulaziz chose this location for good reasons. Al-Kharj offers rich farmland and plenty of water springs. The area sits on old trade routes between Syria and Yemen. Ancient burial sites and archaeological remains show people lived here 500 years before Christ.
The king saw Al-Kharj’s strategic value. Anyone wanting to control central Saudi Arabia would target this area first. Building a palace here helped protect the region from attacks.
King Abdulaziz also started the Al-Kharj Agricultural Project. He spent part of each year at the palace watching over farming work and training his horses.
How the Palace Looks
The builders used traditional Islamic style for the palace. They built with gypsum-covered stones, mud bricks, palm leaves, and tamarisk wood. The palace covers 1,725 square meters across two floors.
People called the palace “Qasr Mushrif” or “Overlooking Palace.” The name fits because you see many towns and villages from the palace windows.
The palace features special windows for natural light in the upper walls. Large windows on the second floor measure 70 by 150 centimeters. Decorative plant patterns cover the doors. The builders added ornamental designs, decorated arches, and distinctive colors.
Inside the Palace
King Abdulaziz divided the palace into two main sections. The western part welcomed guests and handled government business. The eastern section housed his family as private living space.
A 160-meter bridge connects both sections of the palace. Under this bridge, builders created storage rooms for food and weapons. The palace has a square courtyard surrounded by columns on all sides.
The design includes five identical building units. Three walls protect the palace – one outer wall and two inner walls. Next to the main palace stands another two-story building with large glass windows.
Building the Palace
Two master builders worked on the palace. Ibn Duhayyim Al-Baqri from Al-Ahsa led the project. Ibrahim Al-Nashmi built the eastern section and later became governor of Al-Kharj.
The builders imported wood from the Punjab Region for special parts of the palace. They built the palace in two phases to complete the work properly.
Bringing the Palace Back to Life
The Saudi government began restoring the palace in 2009. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (now the Ministry of Tourism) led this work as part of a larger program to restore King Abdulaziz era buildings across the kingdom.
Today, the Heritage Commission takes care of the palace. They continue working to restore and improve the facilities for visitors.
Events and Celebrations
The palace hosts many important celebrations throughout the year. You find National Day events, Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, and Eid Al-Adha festivities at the palace. These events include shows, parades, and special programs.
Local craftsmen and craftswomen display their work at the palace. You see heritage items and taste traditional foods. Photo exhibitions show historical and archaeological sites from Al-Kharj Governorate.
In 2017, the palace hosted the Heritage and Legacy Festival. This event featured traditional games, folk dances, heritage crafts, old car displays, children’s theater, and a photo library.
Why This Palace Matters
King Abdulaziz Historical Palace represents more than old buildings. The palace shows how King Abdulaziz thought about protecting and developing Saudi Arabia. He understood the importance of controlling key locations like Al-Kharj.
The palace also connects Saudi people with their history. Modern celebrations at the palace help families learn about their heritage. Children see how their ancestors lived and worked.
Planning Your Visit
The Heritage Commission manages visits to the palace. Check with local tourism offices for current visiting hours and special events. The palace offers a unique chance to see Saudi history up close.
Al-Kharj Governorate continues growing as an important economic center. The area attracts investment and development while preserving its historical importance. The palace stands as a bridge between Saudi Arabia’s past and future.
King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Al-Kharj shows how one leader’s vision shaped a nation. The palace reminds visitors of the strategic thinking and cultural values that built modern Saudi Arabia.
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