Al Musmak Castle

The Al Musmak Castle is one of the most important historical structures of the city of Riyadh. The palace is a glaring example of the rich past of the city. At present the Al Musmak Castle is maintained and looked after by the ArRiyadh Development Authority.

The Al Musmak Castle in Riyadh was built during the rule of the king Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Rasheed. The castle was later on captured and taken over by King Abdulaziz. This fortified citadel occupies a special place in the history of Riyadh as it symbolizes the birth and the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Where on one hand this castle tells us the history of the city, the Al Thumama Entertainment Village on the other hand educates us about the colorful life of the city.

One of the major heritage sights of the city, the castle today has been converted into a museum, which traces the birth and rise of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The castle has numerous attractions, which are worth taking a look. The Castle Gate is one of the most prominent structures of this palace. The gate is 3.6 meters high and 2.65 meters wide. The gate is made from the trunks of the palm and the tamarisk trees. There is small gate in the center, which allows only one person at a time to enter the castle premises.

Inside the Al Musmak Castle at Riyadh, you can check out the marvelous sitting room, called the saloon. This room is rectangular in shape and is located opposite to the palace gates. The room looks like a Najdi burrow and features traditional Arabian seating facility. There is also a mosque located on the left hand side of the gates of the palace. The mosque is huge and has a large number of pillars. There are shelves over here where one can keep the Holy Quran. The biggest attraction of the Al Musmak Castle in Riyadh is its watch towers. Located on the four corners of the castle, these 18-meter high cylindrical towers have a separate place for rifles. There is a square watch tower located in the center of the palace. Apart from these, you can also check out the well located on the northeastern side of the palace.

Entry to this castle is free of cost. It is open from Saturdays to Thursdays. Thursdays are exclusively meant for families. The visiting hours of the castle are from 8 a.m. till 12 noon and again from 4 p.m. till 9 p.m.

The Al Musmak Castle in Riyadh is one of the major venues to go for sightseeing in Riyadh. The grandeur of this old structure and its historical significance has made it a major tourist attraction of the city.