King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Al-Kharj

King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Al-Kharj is one of the historical palaces attributed to the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. It is located in Al-Aziziyah Neighborhood in Al-Saih City, in Al-Kharj Governorate, Riyadh Province, in the central part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. King Abdulaziz ordered its construction in 1940, and he used it to receive his guests.

Al-Kharj serves as the southern gateway to Riyadh, which led King Abdulaziz to fortify this area by constructing the palace as a defense against any potential rebellion. Al-Kharj possesses several strategic advantages that make it a desirable target for anyone aiming to control Al-Yamamah and Najd, including its natural resources, such as fertile land and abundant water springs. Accordingly, the Founding King launched Al-Kharj Agricultural Project and established a residence in Al-Kharj, where he spent time each year overseeing the agricultural project and training his purebred horses. Al-Kharj is also known for its prominent archaeological sites, some dating back five hundred years BCE. These include ancient burial grounds and the archaeological sites of 'Al-Binnah' in Al-Yamamah, which were located along the caravan route between the Levant and Yemen.

Al-Saih City serves as the administrative capital of Al-Kharj Governorate and its administrative and economic center. It was founded after the unification of the Kingdom by an initiative of the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. The city has witnessed significant development and possesses attractive economic features for investment. It is also home to key economic and governmental establishments.

The King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Al-Kharj was built on a total area of 1,725 m². It consists of two floors and was constructed in the Islamic architectural style. The builders used gypsum-coated stones, mud bricks, palm fronds, and tamarisk wood. The palace features various balconies and was named 'Qasr Mushrif' (Overlooking Palace) by then Minister of Finance Abdullah Bin Suleiman Al-Hamdan due to its view over several towns and villages north of Al-Saih.

The palace features rectangular openings for natural lighting in the upper third of the exterior walls. Each opening corresponds to a large window in the lower third of the second floor, measuring seventy by 150 cm, adding an aesthetic touch to the palace. Its doors are adorned with decorations featuring repetitive plant motifs, and the palace itself is decorated with ornamental patterns, embellished arches, and distinctive colors.

The palace was built in two phases by Ibn Duhayyim Al-Baqri, a resident of Al-Ahsa. The eastern section of the palace was constructed by the builder Ibrahim Al-Nashmi, who later became the governor of Al-Kharj.

The Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud designated the western section of the palace for receiving guests and conducting governmental affairs, while the eastern section was reserved for his family and private residence. A 160-m-long bridge was constructed between the two sections of the palace. The palace features a square-shaped courtyard and includes wood imported from the Punjab Region. Beneath the bridge, storage rooms were constructed for food and weapons.

The palace comprises five architectural units that are identical in design, construction materials, and number of floors. Its square courtyard is surrounded on all sides by columns. The palace is also enclosed by three walls: an outer wall followed by two inner walls. Adjacent to the palace stands another two-story building, coated with gypsum and featuring large glass windows topped with semi-circular openings.

In 2009, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (now the Ministry of Tourism) carried out restoration and rehabilitation work on several historical palaces in various cities across the Kingdom as part of the program for restoring state historical buildings from the era of King Abdulaziz. Among these was the King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Al-Kharj.

The Heritage Commission currently oversees the palace and has worked on its restoration and the development of its facilities.

King Abdulaziz Historical Palace in Al-Kharj is one of the venues that host national celebrations and events in Al-Kharj Governorate as part of a plan to link historical landmarks with national, social, and tourism-related occasions. The palace hosts celebrations for National Day, Eid Al-Fitr, and Eid Al-Adha, featuring shows, parades, and events.

The palace also showcases the works of craftsmen and craftswomen, as well as products from productive families, including heritage items and popular foods. Additionally, it features photo exhibitions of historical, archaeological, and tourism landmarks in Al-Kharj Governorate. Among the events hosted at the palace was the 'Heritage and Legacy' Festival in 2017, which featured traditional games, folkloric performances, traditional crafts and industries, heritage car displays, a children's theater, and a photographic library.