Palace
The palace (Qasr al Murabba (Qasr = the “square” in Arabic) is located just opposite the National Museum and is, with it, one of the most important historical landmarks and museums of the city.
The two-story palace was built by the founder of the kingdom, King Abdulaziz, from 1936 to 1945 outside the walls of the city at that time, on a plot of land called “Murabba Al-Sufyan”, which was used for agriculture during the rainy season. The plot of land as well as its square shape of 400 m by 400 m gave it its name.
The king moved from his former court in Masmak Fortress to the palace when its construction was completed in 1945. Since then, it was both his residence and court until his last day. King Abdulaziz received kings and heads of state there.
Although the complex was primarily intended to serve residential purposes, the siege wall with its numerous towers surrounding the palace is reminiscent of contemporary fortresses of the time.
The palace follows the traditional Nadjid style with an overall cubic shape. It has an inner courtyard and covered walkways. The huge massive walls, interior and exterior ceilings are built of tamarisk and palm fronds. The wooden beams of the ceilings follow geometric patterns in black, red and yellow.
Simplicity is the main design feature of the palace. Traditional geometric decorations and colourful patterns were used in the rooms of the palace, including triangular patterns embossed in the ceiling.
Mosque
The gate on the south side served as the main entrance to the King Abdulaziz Grand Mosque bordering King Saud Road; it was the King’s “private” mosque.
Museum
Murabba Palace is also a museum and houses important archival collections of Riyadh, as well as, among other things, memorabilia, some vintage cars, including a Rolls-Royce that Winston Churchill gave to the king in 1946.
Address for both:
East to King Saud Road and south to Al Washm Street, GPS coordinates: 24.6465017,46.7093148; Al Murabba, Riyadh 12631
Opening hours:
Open from Saturdays to Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. On Fridays, it is open during the evening period from 5:00 to 8 pm.
Web:
If you want to know more also about the museum, the history and the city’s architecture, you can read about it in my ebook “Dr. Hans-F. Loth – Travel Guide Riyadh and Jeddah”.
