King Abdulaziz Historical Center
The recapture of Riyadh on the 5th day of
Shawwal 1319AH by the late King Abdulaziz and
his brave companions has marked the beginning
of a new era in the history of the Arabian
Peninsula.
Through
continuous
struggle
and
perseverance, King Abdulaziz has succeeded in
unifying the various regions of Saudi Arabia into
a single modern state. Now, the sunrising of this
fifth day of Shawwal 1419AH announces the
elapse of one century since the foundation of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On this occasion, the Higher Committee for the Centenary Celebrations has considered the
establishment of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center to stand as a national landmark in the
Kingdom, reflecting the history of the Arabian Peninsula, the immortal massage of Islam and
the solid grounds on which Saudi Arabia is founded.
The High Commission for the Development of ArRiyadh sat forth the guidelines, concept and
design of the Center. The Commission has supervised the various work stages with the view
that the design of the Center should reflect the heritage, history, and the cultural background
of Riyadh.
A tour of the Center

Public Park

National Museum

Antiquities and Museums Agency

Al-Murabba’ Palace

Traditional Buildings

Darat Al-Malik Abdulaziz

King Abdulaziz Public Library

King Abdulaziz Mosque

King Abdulaziz Auditorium

Water Tower
Public Park
Parks and green areas mark the main features of the
Center with its numerous social and cultural structures,
adding a natural environmental image and availing a
green area in the center of the City. There are five main
fenced parks, a sixth open park, a vast main Maydan, an
oasis of Palm Trees and a water stream flowing from an
old water well.
The Maydan, a vast square of 20,000 sq. m., is situated in the middle of King Abdulaziz
Historical Center. It is intended to be used for social and cultural celebrations in exceptional
occasions and Eids.
The Parks occupy an area of 20-30 thousand sq. m. forming the major part of the Center's
area. The other facilities of the Center seem as natural islands surrounded by the green areas.
The palm tree is a symbol of patience and gratitude, therefore, palm trees were used to
expressively exemplify the years of struggle of the Kingdom. A palm oasis of 100 palm trees
to indicate the elapse of 100 years overlooks the Maydan at a relatively high ground. In the
northern part of the Maydan, an old water well was reconstructed. Water is bumped from the
old well in a water stream running across the central Maydan and terminating in an artificial
lake and a fountain.
National Museum
Situated at the eastern side of the Main Square, the
museum’s two-storey modern building accommodates
the latest in museology and display techniques. The
building, covering an area of 28,000 sq. m., consists of
eight main galleries and two others for short-term
exhibits, plus the major facilities of the museum.
The National Museum has been designed after studying
various renowned museums worldwide. This was to
ensure that it would be a national landmark in the
Kingdom helping to enrich the country's educational and
cultural process.
The museum's approach to portray man’s history is
derived from the Islamic facts and realities regarding the
Creation of Man. Here, a unique method is adopted to show the sequence of historical
developments.
Each of the main galleries represents a particular period of time; beginning with the creation
of the universe, up to the present era.
Touring the museum would enable the visitor to journey from mysteries of the birth of the
universe, through the prehistoric times and ancient civilizations, and to the early proto-Islamic
(Jahiliyya) era. Then comes the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and the
Islamic civilization, followed by the Saudi States. Last of all comes the gallery concerning Hajj
and the Two Holy Mosques.
Ground Floor Diagram
First Floor Diagram
Man and the Universe Gallery
The Arabian Kingdoms Gallery
The Jahiliyyah Gallery
The Prophet's Mission Gallery
Islam and the Arabian Peninsula Gallery
The First and Second Saudi States Gallery
The Unification Gallery
Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques Gallery
Ground Floor Diagram
First Floor Diagram
Man and the
Universe Gallery
Exhibition in this gallery
operates
themes.
The
within
four
basic
first
assigned for the issue of the
creation of the universe
and the formation of earth
surface
The
second one is to brief visitors
on fossils which report
elements.
to millions of years back, while
the
various
environments in Saudi Arabia
are tackled in the third
section. The last section refers
to the eldest discoveries
surrounding the discovery of
man in the Arabian Peninsula in old history.
The Arabian Kingdoms Gallery
This gallery covers ancient history in Arabia from the year
6000BC to 400AD. A tour of this gallery would begin with a
glimpse at what is known as the 'Dawn of History in
Arabia', with an exhibit of antiquities from civilizations that
dare back to 4000BC, followed by a review of symbolic
writing and the first alphabets, which developed, into
primitive writing.
Here, exhibits range from the reconstruction of the ancient 'Taima Wall', to more modern,
interactive display modes. The main part of the gallery is dedicated to detailed information
about the Arabian Kingdoms, featuring those of the early, mid and late periods. Among the
significant exhibits in the early kingdom's sector is that of the town of Madyan. As for the
middle period kingdoms, the gallery exhibits models of buildings from the town of Alfau. The
gallery concludes with a section on the famous towns of the Late Arabian Kingdoms including
Ain Zubaidah and Alaflajj.
The Jahiliyyah Gallery
This gallery mainly represents the proto-Islamic age of the Arabian Peninsula; from the year
400AD till the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). The tour of this gallery
reveals much about the Arab tribes, their beliefs, traditions, antiquities as well as the
development of Arabic calligraphy. Among the more important exhibits of the hall are of the
fortresses built by the people of AI-Madinah and a selection of pottery and weapons.
The Prophet's Mission Gallery
This gallery focuses on the major events of Prophet
Muhammad's life from the time of his birth to his
migration to Al-Madinah. It features facts about his
lineage, upbringing and the call of Islam. On display, in
the middle of the gallery is a copy of the Holy Qur'an, the
Sacred Book of Islam. The gallery ends with a unique,
ceramic bridge, decorated to depict the stages of the
Prophet's migration from Makkah to AI-Madinah (The
Hijra).
Islam and the Arabian Peninsula Gallery
This gallery covers the history of the Arabian Peninsula,
from the Hijra of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon
Him) up to the period preceding the advent of the first
Saudi state.
Exhibits in the first section feature the Islamic state during the reign of Prophet Muhammad.
This begins with the 'Dawn of lslam' and its progression with the Hijra to Al-Madinah and then
the conquest of Makkah. Finally, comes the farewell pilgrimage and the death of the prophet
(Peace be upon Him).
The second section is allocated for the era of the caliphs. The next wing represents Amawi,
Abbasi, Mamaleek, and Othmani era.
The First and Second Saudi States Gallery
This gallery offers an integrated exhibition of the first and
second Saudi States, reviewing the progress made by
their first leaders, as well as the cultural and civic aspects
of Addir’iyah as the most prominent town of the state.
The focus of the First Saudi states concludes with the
military campaign of Ibrahim Basha and the destruction
of Addir’iyah.
The history of the Second Saudi State is then reviewed through the display of documents
referring to its foundation, achieved by Imam Turki Bin Abdullah, who declared Riyadh as the
capital and later on, unified Najd. The gallery also reviews the succession of the Imam's heir;
Faisal Bin Turki.
The gallery concludes by displaying some documentaries and pictures of King Ahdulaziz's
youth while away from his hometown.
The Unification Gallery
The gallery covers the main events that lead to the foundation of the modern Saudi State by
the Late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, beginning with the recapture of Riyadh in 1319 AH.
The gallery further illustrates King Abdulaziz efforts to unify the regions of the State and
establish a Kingdom. Soon after, the efforts were put to initiating the states various
structures. The gallery offers some authentic material and models of buildings representing
some of the Kingdom's towns and villages. The gallery also features a documentary film,
complete with audio-visual effects, about the different stages of the unification of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia·
Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques Gallery
The two mosques represent the holiest spots on the face
of earth, therefore, they deserved a separate gallery. This
gallery exhibits the history of the development of both
mosques throughout the successive Islamic periods till
the
recent
Saudi
architectural
development
and
expansions. The Pilgrimage, the Hajj Holy Sites and the
roads leading to Makkah are also exhibited.
Antiquities and Museums Agency
A new structure of 3000 sq. m. for antiquities and museums agency connected with the
National Museum was constructed. The agency building is functionally independent from the
museum. The building is comprised of 2 stories: the first for administration and research
purposes, while the second is for rehabilitation and documentation works.
Al-Murabba' Palace
Al-Murabba' Pa lace is considered the most historically
important building in the Center. The Late King Abdulaziz
has ordered, in 1357 AH., the construction of a complex
of palaces outside the boundaries of Riyadh at AlMurabba'land to become his family's residential palace.
The complex consisted of residential palaces, services
building and the Diwan of King Abdulaziz. The Palace had
hosted various Arab and Islamic Leaders and witnessed many national events. Simplicity was
the main characteristic of the Palace design.
Traditional Buildings
The land of AI Murabba' Palace in itself is acquiring a
historical significance. The complex comprised the famous
King Abdulaziz Diwan, King Abdulaziz Palace (Currently
Al-Darah) a number of buildings and archeological sites.
The High Commission has cared for repairing these sites
in accordance with the internationally accepted standards.
Darat Al-Malik Abdulaziz
Located at the Western side of the Center’s main Maydan,
the Darah (King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and
Archives) is one of the major elements of King Abdulaziz
Historical Center. The 7000 sq. m. building housing the
Darah was built at the site of the residential palace of King Abdulaziz with a total built area of
12,000 sq. m. It has been reconstructed without affecting the basic features of the palace.
The Darah building is comprised of the following: administration offices, a library, a female
research section, services zones, the outdoor areas, a section for the Al-Darah Magazine, and
King Abdulaziz Memorial Hall. Darat AI Malik Abdulaziz activities serve the Kingdom's history,
geography, arts, ideology, architecture, etc. Its role also includes enhancing scientific research
activities.

King Abdulaziz Memorial Hall
A major part of the Darah, the King Abdulaziz
Memorial Hall was established to commemorate
King
Abdulaziz
Kingdom.
The
and
his
efforts
hall
exhibits
to
King
unify
the
Abdulaziz's
ideologies and biography.
King Abdulaziz Public Library
The library is a charity organization established by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz when he was
the Crown Prince in the year 1988. The Library serves males and females of all ages. It is
provided with halls for reading, audio visuals, manuscripts and distinguished collections.
King Abdulaziz Mosque
The mosque is situated in the western side of the main
Maydan south of Al-Murabba' Palace and opposite to King
Abdulaziz Road from the North Direction. The Mosque can
accommodate
(4,200)
worshippers.
Traditionally,
the
Mosque was part of the AI Murabba' complex of palaces,
and was connected to the second floor of King Abdulaziz
Diwan through a bridge.
King Abdulaziz Auditorium
A fully equipped GOO-seat auditorium to host symposiums and conferences is located next to
the Library.
Water Tower
Located at the South Eastern part of the Public Park, The
Tower was built in 1391AH. to boost water pressure in the
public water network. The Tower's two tanks are with a
capacity of (12,350) cubic meter. There is a fully equipped
restaurant at the top of the Tower.