Mardhiyyah Heritage Palace

Mardhiyyah Heritage Palace is a historical landmark in al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located about thirteen km east of al-Hufuf City. The palace holds historical and national significance, as historical sources indicate that the founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud stayed in it during his visit to al-Ahsa, in addition to its heritage and architectural importance.

Mardhiyyah Heritage Palace is located in the center of al-Ahsa, amidst fertile agricultural land surrounded by palm groves and fruit trees. It is distinguished by local architectural features that highlight al-Ahsa’s identity and its civilizational and cultural heritage. This reflects Saudi Arabia's architectural identity and contributes to showcasing the architectural dimensions and heritage value of historical buildings.

Mardhiyyah Palace features various architectural designs and elements, such as roofed arcades, wall paintings, ornate engravings, railings, and windows. It is a rectangular building consisting of two floors, with a gate flanked by palm trees on both sides. The palace is painted red and is surrounded by a green space of palm trees. The front facade of the building faces east, while the rear facade, designed on the ground floor, faces west. The Mardhiyyah pavilion includes the grand Majlis (council hall), and the arcade features five arches, with the entrance arch engraved with gypsum.

The wooden door has two panels in the middle, leading to the council hall arcade. The upper part of the door mirrors the lower part. The upper council hall is known as "al-Banglah," as it includes several windows on all sides, providing the palace with light and ventilation, as well as offering a suitable vision from above.

The ceilings of the palace were constructed using kandal wood, and its elongated windows feature colored glass skylights. All the walls of the palace are coated with al-Hassawi gypsum, known as "al-Arabi," showcasing skilled craftsmanship. The upper sections of the walls were decorated with colored carvings, adding an aesthetic touch.

On August 4, 2023, the Heritage Commission announced the initiation of expropriation procedures for Mardhiyyah Palace in favor of the Heritage Commission. This is part of the project to prepare rehabilitation studies for several heritage sites for 2024.