Overview
At-Turaif is the mud-brick district at Diriyah that served as the capital of the first Saudi state, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.
Why visit At-Turaif
The Emirate of Diriyah ran from 1727 to 1818, and At-Turaif was its seat: palaces, a mosque and defensive walls built in the Najdi style, all in mud brick, on the edge of the Wadi Hanifa valley north-west of Riyadh.
It is the most complete surviving example of Najdi architecture at this scale - thick walls, triangular openings cut high for light and air, and stepped parapets. The district has been restored and opened as a museum quarter, so unlike most sites of its age you walk through the streets rather than around a perimeter fence.
Nearby: Diriyah, Riyadh, Wadi Hanifa.
This property was the first capital of the Saudi Dynasty, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, north-west of Riyadh. Founded in the 15th century, it bears witness to the Najdi architectural style, which is specific to the centre of the Arabian peninsula.
History of At-Turaif
At-Turaif was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.
Tours that include At-Turaif
Travel Tips Before Visiting
At-Turaif is in Diriyah.
Photograph: Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl, via Wikimedia Commons.
Plan your visit to At-Turaif
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