Thulaim Guesthouse

Thulaim Guesthouse is a historic landmark located in the old city of Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It lies between King Saud Street "al-Batha" and King Faisal Street, previously known as "al-Wazir," connected by an internal road named "Thulaim Palace Street." The guesthouse was established in 1940 by an order of Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud as the second royal hospitality palace of his era, alongside Khreimes Guesthouse "al-Deira Palace." This tradition of offering hospitality and assistance dates back to the era of the First Saudi State.

The name "Thulaim Guesthouse" originates from a farm named "Thulaim," purchased by King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in 1935. He dedicated it as an endowment for his father, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal, because it served as a resting point for travelers before entering Riyadh. Historically, travelers to Riyadh regarded Thulaim Site as a preparatory station for entering the capital, Riyadh, where they waited for the city's gates to open in the morning. King Abdulaziz chose it as an endowment to his father because travelers to and from Riyadh relied on Thulaim's well for drinking water and to provide for their livestock.

In 1939, during the "smallpox" epidemic that caused significant fatalities across Najd and other countries in the Arabian Peninsula, many sought refuge in Riyadh for treatment and settled in al-Shamsiyah area, northeast of Riyadh City, outside its walls, along the edge of Wadi al-Batha. Then, King Abdulaziz ordered them to relocate to his father's endowment 'Thulaim' transforming it into a shelter and food hub. This measure aimed to contain the outbreak in a single location and ensure that patients and their companions received the necessary medical care and vaccinations under medical supervision.

In 1940, King Abdulaziz ordered the construction of a guesthouse, comprising accommodations and kitchens. He assigned Hamad Bin Qubaa to oversee its construction on his father's endowment "Thulaim Farm." The guesthouse served as a reception venue for visitors arriving in Riyadh, providing them with meals, and also functioned as a public dining facility. Its services extended further to include providing meals for prisoners and students.

Thulaim Guesthouse spans approximately 5,971 m and consists of two floors with around fifty rooms and several kitchens. It was divided into three sections: A guesthouse for Bedouins, overseen by Khreimes Bin Abdullah; another for city dwellers; and a third for distinguished delegations, both supervised by Saud Bin Muslim. The guesthouse was supported by a team handling administrative and service duties. The site welcomed numerous visitors and distributed significant aid to students, the poor, prisoners, the vulnerable, people with disabilities, widows, and orphans.

According to historical sources, the average daily number of visitors to Thulaim Guesthouse was estimated to be tens of thousands. It served thirty to fifty sheep, five camels, fifty qillah (large containers) of dates, thirty-five tins of ghee, and eighty sacks of rice. Meals were provided twice a day, morning and evening, and prepared by skilled cooks.