Fahd Bin Saud Palace in Diriyah
Fahd Bin Saud Palace in Diriyah is one of the palaces in At-Turaif District in the historic city of Diriyah, the capital of the First Saudi State. It was built by Fahd Bin Saud, brother of Imam Abdullah Bin Saud, the last ruler of the First Saudi State. After its restoration, the palace was designated as a center for administering At-Turaif District and operating and organizing events.
Significance
Diriyah is a meeting point for travelers from the eastern and northern Arabian Peninsula heading to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Over time, it grew into a center of culture, knowledge, and trade. The people of Najd formed communities that grew over hundreds of years and united under the leadership of Al Saud in At-Turaif District. Diriyah was the capital of the First Saudi State from 1727 to 1818. At-Turaif District is the second of eight sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List, in 2010.
The history and urban fabric of Fahd Bin Saud Palace are closely linked to the history of the city in which it was built. The palace sheds light on a period in Diriyah's history and helps explain its architectural style and the way its inhabitants lived.
Components
Fahd Bin Saud Palace in Diriyah consists of three units, with total dimensions of 36.35 m × 18.35 m. All three units were built of mud bricks. The first unit is the oldest and forms the palace's original structure. It is the eastern unit, located near the historic Salwa Palace. It has three floors and triangular windows.
The second unit lies west of the first and is connected to it by staircases. It has two floors and three triangular sets of windows. Each set contains hexagonal windows, and the unit also has some square windows.
The third unit is the newest. It has one floor and is separate from the first and second units. It has no windows and receives light and ventilation from the central courtyard.
Sources
Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).
Diriyah Gate Development Authority.
The historical narrative of Fahd Bin Saud Palace in Diriyah and the analysis of its components based on architectural evidence. Jamal Olyan. Darah Journal, 2019.