
Masmak Fortress is one of the most magnificent historical palaces that marked the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The fortress is like a scene out of the movie: an awe-inspiring empire and living proof of Saudi Arabia’s incredible majesty.
Even though the fortress is located in Riyadh, the very bustling capital city known for modern life aspects, Masmak stands out with pride and dignity offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the past.

Momentous History

The fortress stands as a testament to the epic history of the Kingdom and the Al-Saud family.
The history of the fortress is closely linked to the history of Riyadh. In 1744 CE, Mohammed bin Saud founded the Saudi Kingdom in the city of Diriyah.
Then Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Saud incorporated Riyadh as the first Saudi State in 1773 CE.
In 1817 Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt overthrew the Saudi rulers. However, Turki bin Abdallah bin Mohammed Al-Saud founded a second Saudi kingdom in Riyadh in 1824.
The second kingdom was overthrown again in 1891 by the Al-Rashid family from Hail and the Al-Saud family was exiled in Kuwait.
In 1902, Abdulaziz Al-Saud led his army and seized Riyadh where he reinstalled the reign of the Al-Saud and from where he reconquered the Kingdom.
Hence Riyadh became the capital of the third Saudi Arabian Kingdom.
Masmak Fortress plays a central role in restoring Al-Saud’s reign over the heritage of their ancestors.
Al-Saud’s victory was driven by seizing the fortress that used to protect the old city of Riyadh.
After the victory, the fortress was turned into a warehouse for ammunition and then became a prison. Today the fort is a museum showcasing the great heritage of the Al-Saud family.
The Formation of the Fortress

‘Masmak’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘musamaka’ which refers to a strong building.
Surrounded by sand, the fortress is specifically in the heart of Riyadh’s old quarters. The roofs are covered with painted palm trees, ceramic and ethel wood depicting a charming Arabian painting.
Furthermore, it has a rectangular shape encompassing all outstanding features of Arabian fortresses.
It includes four defensive towers, a watchtower, high walls, stair-shaped crenellations, and triangular reconnaissance points and firing apertures.
The Composition of Masmak Museum
Once the fortress turned into a museum, Masmak Palace became a real symbol of the pivotal rise of the Saudi nation.
The museum is divided into six sessions, as follows:
The Gate:
Situated within the western wall, the main gate is made of palmwood. It has a narrow central aperture, which means that only one person can pass through the gate at a time. The ancient people deliberately designed the gate that way to promote security by restricting the number of those who could entry.

The Mosque:
The mosque is located to the left of the massive gate. Its walls include finely carved ventilation openings ensuring a cozy atmosphere and a relaxing environment for meditation and prayer.

The Majlis (council):
It is a rectangular space situated in front of the entrance with ventilation openings to let the air through.
The Well:
The northeast part of the fortress marks the well, an essential water resource during ancient times.

The Watch Towers:
The guard towers surround the fortress’s four corners and are internally connected to the fortress by stairs.
They are characterized by high viewpoints which enabled the warriors to identify the enemies and take swift reactions during the battle.
The Courtyard:
The courtyard contains a vast array of connected rooms with stairways leading to the upper levels on either side.



How to Get to Masmak Fortress?
The fortress is located near the Al-Hukm Palace in the Qasr Al-Hukm District. Visitors enter the fortress from an open plaza and through a palm tree gate.
It is open from Saturday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets are free of charge.
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