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Al Masmak Palace

Al Masmak Palace, also called the Masmak Fortress or Masmak Fort, is a historic clay and mudbrick fort in the ad-Dirah neighborhood of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located in close proximity to the al-Hukm Palace in the Qasr al-Hukm District. Commissioned in 1865 by Abdullah bin Faisal Al Saud, it was completed in 1895 following the takeover of the town by the Rashidi dynasty. The fortress was the main theatre for the Battle of Riyadh in 1902, which marked the prelude to the unification of Saudi Arabia. It was opened to the general public in 1995 after its conversion into a museum.

History
The construction of the fort was started by Abdullah bin Faisal, Emir of Najd, in 1865. It was used as a munitions warehouse from 1902 to 1938 by King Abdulaziz before he moved his court to then newly built Murabba Palace. In 1979, the Municipality of Riyadh prepared a study for the restoration of the Masmak, following which a renovation of the fortress began. Their vision was realized in 1995 when the Ministry of Education and the Supreme Commission for the Development of Riyadh converted the building into a museum, making it an integral part of Saudi heritage. Al Masmak Palace Museum The Palace Museum displays live photos and information panels of the history of the kingdom, historic maps of Riyadh, antique guns, costumes and agricultural artifacts. == Architecture ==
Architecture
The Masmak can be divided into six distinct parts: the gate, the mosque, the majlis, the well, the towers and the courtyard. Gate The main gate of the palace is located in the western wall, measuring high and wide. It is thick and is made of palmwood. There is an opening on the center of the door, called al-Khokha, which is just big enough for one person to pass at a time, and is a defensive feature designed to allow people in and out without opening the door. Mosque The mosque is located to the left of the entrance. It is a large room supported by several columns with shelves in the walls for placing ''mus'hafs of the Quran. A mihrab'' can be found in the mosque, and there are holes in the walls to provide ventilation. Majlis It is located directly ahead of the entrance and is a room in the shape of a rectangle. On the wall facing the entrance and the southern wall, there are holes in the walls for ventilation and lighting, similar to those found in the mosque. Well The well is located in the northeastern corner of the fortress. Watchtowers In each of the corners of the mosque are conical towers, each approximately high. The towers are accessed through staircases located inside them. The walls of the towers are especially thick, with a thickness of . Courtyard The courtyard is surrounded by rooms with columns connected to each other internally, and it has stairs on the eastern side leading to the first floor and roofs, and there are three residential units, the first served as the residence of the ruler, the second used as a bayt al-mal, and the third was allocated for the accommodation of guests. ==See also==
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