Walking in the footsteps of the Saudi founding fathers at Salwa Palace

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An image taken by George Rendel on his visit to Diriyah in 1937. (Supplied)
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Updated 22 September 2021
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Walking in the footsteps of the Saudi founding fathers at Salwa Palace

  • This treasure trove of history offers a glimpse into the daily lives of leaders centuries ago, along with the decisions and achievements that paved the way for the modern-day Kingdom
  • Home of Mohammed ibn Saud, founder of the first Saudi state, it was known as ‘the ruling palace’ because leaders gathered there to discuss business, politics, and social events

RIYADH: If the walls of Salwa Palace could speak, what a thrilling tale of secrets, integrity and valor they could tell.

Exploring the narrow hallways of what was once home to the Kingdom’s early leaders, who paved the way for modern-day Saudi Arabia, is like wandering through a maze of historic wonders.

The palace is not only a part of the historic At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage site in Diriyah, it is also a symbol of the enduring spirit and culture of the people of Saudi Arabia.

Part of the defenses that protected the first Saudi state from a 193-day attack by the Ottoman army in 1818, the palace continues to stands tall. While the walls were battered by the assault, many parts remained intact and their resilience came to be seen as a reflection of the spirit of the Saudi people.

The Arabic word “salwa” translates as “joy and comfort.” Visitors get a sense of why this is such an appropriate name for the palace as they are engulfed with a sense of peace and serenity as they walk through its different sections.

Salwa was the home of Mohammed ibn Saud, considered the founder of the first Saudi state. It was referred to as the ruling palace because it is where state leaders gathered to discuss business, politics, and social events — essentially the administrative hub of the time.

Built in 1776 by Imam Abdulaziz ibn Mohammed ibn Saud, the palace remains the largest standing structure in Diriyah. It covers an area of 10,000 square meters and includes seven sections, including a reception area, majlis, administrative units, a school, a mosque and a public meeting space.

During the palace’s heyday, guests were greeted in the reception area before being taken to the majlis or the mukhtasar, depending on the nature of the meeting. A very exclusive part of the palace, the mukhtasar is where private issues were addressed by the leaders of the Kingdom. Only the imam and his councilors were permitted to enter this room to discuss and resolve the important matters that arose.

The private school within the palace is where the members of the royal family were tutored in Islamic subjects, mathematics and the Qur’an. When Diriyah opens to the public, visitors can see the remains of the original pillars, which are all that remain the school building.

However, many historical treasures and artifacts have survived that offer insights into the daily lives of Saudis hundreds of years ago. A well, for example, where people could drink and perform ablutions before prayer, is almost untouched.

The palace was built from stone, mud-bricks and straw. Wood from tamarisk trees served as the foundations to support doors and walls. The mud-bricks were made from a mixture of mud and silt that was poured into a 20cm-by-40cm wooden frame, pressed and then laid out in the sun to dry. The bricks were layered, one by one to create the walls of the palace.

History is etched in every detail of its construction. The personal touches of the workers who built the structures, including unique variations in the alignment of the mud-bricks, transport visitors back in time to the days of the forebears of modern-day Saudis. As such it is an enduring representation of the heart and soul of the Kingdom through the ages.

Salwa Palace serves as an important symbol of the country’s history, heritage and culture. Walking through its narrow pathways in the footsteps of leaders from centuries ago, visitors cannot help but feel a sense of empowerment, pride and honor, knowing that this was where the fates aligned and decisions and achievements were made that paved the way for the modern nation the world knows today.

Diriyah, past, present and future
On Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day, the birthplace of the Kingdom continues to make history

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Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj. (@PRAGOVSA)
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  • The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims
  • The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9

RIYADH: Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid will deliver the Arafah sermon during this year’s Hajj, the Presidency of Religious Affairs announced on Sunday.

The day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah) is widely considered the pinnacle of Hajj, marking the most important day for pilgrims. Muslims around the world who are not performing the pilgrimage mark the day by fasting and engaging in worship.

The sermon is delivered from Masjid Al-Nimra on Mount Arafat before Dhuhr and Asr prayers are performed together on Dhul Hijjah 9.

Head of Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the appointment.

The appointment underscores the Kingdom’s global religious leadership, reflects its continued support for religious institutions, and exemplifies the leadership’s care for the two holy mosques, the presidency said.


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  • The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture

RIYADH: Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Riyadh.

The meeting focused on strengthening Saudi-Pakistani ties in the field of heritage and culture, the Pakistani Embassy wrote in a post on X on Sunday.

The ambassador presented Inzerillo with a painting from his own Diriyah-themed series, created to celebrate the Kingdom’s history and heritage.

He also presented him with a made-in-Pakistan FIFA-standard football “symbolizing Pakistan’s craftsmanship and the mutual spirit of friendship.”


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  • Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed

RIYADH: Hajj pilgrims arriving in the Kingdom by land were introduced to projects and initiatives of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.

The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, restore vegetation and breed endangered species to create a more sustainable natural environment.

The authority also distributed educational brochures to raise awareness about environmental preservation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Pilgrims were welcomed at Al-Shuqaiq in the Jouf region, where more than 4,000 gifts reflecting the reserve’s history and conservation efforts were distributed.

Visitors were informed about the reserve’s environmental heritage, biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable ecological stewardship, the SPA added.

The authority works to preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats and creating safe environments for wildlife and plants to thrive.

Its achievements include planting more than 2.4 million trees, scattering four tonnes of native seeds and rehabilitating 250,000 hectares of degraded land.

The reserve hosts more than 290 documented bird species — about 58 percent of those recorded in the Kingdom — and includes five internationally recognized important bird areas.

Covering 130,700 sq. kilometers, the King Salman Reserve is the largest natural terrestrial reserve in the Middle East, spanning four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk.


Live show at Expo 2025 celebrates shared Saudi-Japanese maritime experience

Updated 25 May 2025
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Live show at Expo 2025 celebrates shared Saudi-Japanese maritime experience

  • Deep-rooted cultural connection in the spotlight 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has used the stage at Expo 2025 in Osaka to tell a story of Saudi-Japanese relations which spans the oceans.

In a live performance titled “Tales of the Sea,” the Kingdom’s pavilion brought together the seafaring traditions of Saudi Arabia and Japan, spotlighting a deep-rooted cultural connection anchored in pearl diving, patience, and poetry.

Held at the Saudi Courtyard Theater, the show centered on the figure of the nahham, a traditional Gulf singer whose role was to inspire pearl divers with his voice during long months at sea.

Japan’s ama divers, skilled women known for their sea diving expertise, were also featured to showcase their abilities and the risks they took in search of sea treasures. 

The performance told the story of a Saudi diver on a six-month journey to find the largest pearl, combining performance with visual storytelling projected across five towering 13-meter walls.

Interactive exhibits showcasing traditional diving tools and cultural artifacts invited visitors to engage more deeply, sparking conversations about resilience, tradition, and the Kingdom and Japan’s shared maritime legacies.

The audience responded with enthusiasm, drawn by the show’s emotional depth and the unexpected parallels between the two cultures.

The show captured the maritime memories of both nations, which were enhanced by Gulf chants blended with traditional Japanese music to help create an experience that reflected the partnership.

The Kingdom’s pavilion — the second largest at the expo after Japan’s — will host more than 700 events during the six-month fair, including concerts, films, and storytelling performances.

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Updated 25 May 2025
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Supreme Court calls on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to sight Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Tuesday evening

  • Court requested that anyone sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye or through binoculars report to the nearest court and record their testimony

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday evening, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Tuesday is the 29th of Dhul Qadah and if the crescent moon is sighted that day, the month of Dhul Hijjah, during which Hajj takes place, will start on Wednesday May 28. In this case, the first day of Eid Al-Adha will take place on Friday June 6.

If the crescent moon is not sighted on Tuesday evening, Dhul Hijjah will start on Thursday and the first day of Eid will be on Saturday June 7.

The court requested that anyone sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye or through binoculars report to the nearest court and record their testimony, or contact the nearest center to assist them in reaching the nearest court.