At-Turaif District, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
At-Turaif District is a collection of mud-brick buildings in Riyadh that displays the traditional architecture of the Najd region. The structures include palaces, mosques, administrative buildings, and homes, all built using local construction methods that adapted to the desert climate.
The district was founded in the 15th century and became the capital of the first Saudi state from 1727 onwards. Ottoman forces took control in 1818, marking a major turning point in the place's history.
The palaces and homes here reflect how a prosperous Arabian community lived and organized their daily life. The buildings are arranged around central courtyards, showing how families spent time together and used the open spaces.
Visitors can join guided tours and visit information centers that explain the history and architecture. The best time to visit is during cooler months, as summer heat creates extreme conditions in the open spaces.
Ongoing excavations regularly uncover objects that reveal how this city traded with distant regions and organized society. The discoveries show networks of exchange that extended well beyond the local area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
