King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Qibah

King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Qibah is one of the palaces inhabited by the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. It was built in 1932, the year that marked the unification of the Kingdom. The palace is located in Qibah city, Al-Asyah Governorate, northeast of Qassim Province. It is one of the largest archaeological palaces in the province.

The palace stretches fifteen thousand m in the city of Qibah, which lies on a crucial geographical location. This city serves as the eastern gate to Qassim Province, and acts as a link between five Saudi administrative provinces: Qassim, Hail, Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the Northern Borders. Qibah is also situated near the Basra pilgrim road, which was used by the pilgrims of the Kaaba at the time, and by commercial convoys coming from Iraq.

The palace was built in the Najdi architectural style by a builder (Ibn Moqbel) who was known for his skills in Qassim. The palace's design is similar to that of Al Masmak Palace, the historical icon of the capital, Riyadh. Clay was used to build the palace, alongside wood for its doors, and some of its stairs and windows.

King Abdulaziz Historical Palace includes guest rooms, offices and a residence for the Chief of Telegraphy at the time, in addition to a mosque and well. Moreover, the palace is surrounded by a rectangular clay wall, with five surveillance towers, and is protected by a high mortar wall. A room was built inside each tower. The warden was able to reach the top of the tower by taking a set of stairs (which was called Taya) that leads to the roof of the warden's room. Wooden stairs are located in the corners of those towers from the inside, and small side openings have been placed at the top.

With its amazing design and building style, and despite the expansion of modern and high buildings, King Abdulaziz Historical Palace is an iconic representation of the Kingdom’s history during that era. Qibah is home to several archeological sites, such as the old emirate building, which was built in 1927, the old market, some mud buildings and a stream, which is referred to as wadi in Arabic.