Ghasiba District

Ghasiba District is a historic district in Historical Diriyah, recognized as its earliest historical district and its seat of governance, predating al-Turaif District during the First Saudi State. Renowned for its historical and architectural significance, the district is designated as a protected archaeological excavation site, managed by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in accordance with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) guidelines for heritage preservation.

Ghasiba District is the nucleus of Diriyah, the capital of the First Saudi State. Its significance lies in being the birthplace of the royal family in the Kingdom, marking their migration from the eastern Arabian Peninsula to al-Arid in Najd in the fifteenth century. It was here that Prince Mani' Ibn Rabi'a al-Muraydi, the forefather of Al Saud family, first settled, laying the foundation for Diriyah.

Located on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa, north of Diriyah, the district served as an area of stability and functioned as the northern gateway of the capital, Diriyah, at the time. Its role in safeguarding Hajj and trade caravans was evident, and the district benefited from military protection, symbolized by the Ghasiba Palace with its iron gate. Prince Saad Bin Abdullah Bin Saud fortified himself there while resisting the Ottoman campaigns against the Saudi state at the time.