What Is the Difference Between Al-Turaif District and Diriyah?
Q &A
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12/04/2026
Diriyah is located on the banks of Wadi Hanifah, northwest of Riyadh City. It was the capital of the First Saudi State founded by Imam Mohammed Bin Saud in 1727. Al-Turaif District is the cultural center of Diriyah and the core of the First Saudi State (1727-1818).
Today, it is part of Diriyah, one of the heritage sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring Salwa Palace, which housed the rulers of the first Saudi state.
Built in the eighteenth century, Al-Turaif District is distinguished by its architectural style and geometric decorations that showcase Najdi architecture and reflect the traditional ways of life in Saudi Arabia.