RIYADH — Tourists and residents of Riyadh who are steeped in history will find a treasure trove of sites to visit and imbibe history for themselves by going to these ancient sites that are profoundly unique and rooted in time.

The most prominent among them is Diriyah, founded in 1446, to overlook Wadi Hanifa valley, embracing magnificent features such as Bijairi historical district, Samhan and Turaif quarter, which has been dubbed as the Greatest Mud-built City, in the world.

Turaif also is among the most towering tourist landmarks, westward of Riyadh. It is no more living only in the memory of the Saudi society, for its reputation has been established in the whole world, following UNESCO’s inclusion in the List of World Heritage in 2010, joining other 5 Saudi sites already on the list.

It is a historical window for the tourists and visitors of Riyadh, to look at the antiquities of the first Saudi state and to be acquainted with its glories, in (virtual) reality that simulates what had taken place in the past when ancient Diriyah flourished as the capital of the first Saudi State.

Turaif quarter, in particular, was identified with the governance of the State at that time, but nowadays it comprises an array of museums that provides retrospective glimpses of the evolution and development of the first Saudi State through artifacts, drawings, paintings and documentaries.

In addition, there are the Arabian Horse museum, Wartime museum and Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Mosque or the (Great Mosque), where the Imams led worshippers during Jummah congregational prayers.

Turaif is distinct with thousands square meters of green spaces and arrays of locally planted trees as well as exquisite palm trees – that provide shade to major spaces — spread all over the banks of the valley, paved with modern corridors and sideways for walking and strolling.

Opposite Turaif lies its twin quarter: Bijairi, which is historically linked to knowledge and considered as the seat of knowledge. However, today it is buzzing with cafes and open parks.

Meanwhile it is experiencing restoration work that is progressing within a huge project to make Diriyah, once again, a bright and shining historical, cultural and tourist spot, attracting comers from all over the world.

Overseeing the project to preserve Diriyah as the icon of the Saudi history is Diriyah Gate Development Authority with a mandate to promote the site for visitors.

It was founded in 2017 to shoulder several projects and tasks with the most significant quantum leap or turning point for Diriyah Gate coming when inaugurated by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in November 2019. — SPA