At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah – World Cultural Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia

This hotel was the first capital of the Arab Kingdom, in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, northwest of Riyadh. Founded in the 15th century, it exemplifies the Najdi architectural style, which characterizes the center of the Arabian peninsula. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, its political and religious role increased, and the citadel at-Turaif became the temporary center of power for the House of Saud and the spread of the Salafiyya reform within. Islamic religion. The property includes the remains of many palaces and urban complexes built on the edge of the ad-Dir’iyah oasis.

Accreditation year: 2010
Criteria: (iv)(v)(vi)
Area: 28.78 ha
Buffer zone: 237.95 ha

Table of Contents

Outstanding global value

The At-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah was the first capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, northwest of Riyadh. Founded in the 15th century, it exemplifies the Najdi architectural style, which characterizes the center of the Arabian Peninsula. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, its political and religious role in the region increased, and the citadel at-Turaif became the temporary center of power for the House of Saud and the spread of the reform movement. Islamic way in Arabia, Salafiyya. The property includes the remains of many palaces and urban complexes built on the edge of the ad-Dir’iyah oasis.

Criterion (iv): The citadel at-Turaif represents a diverse and fortified urban population within an oasis. It includes many palaces and is an outstanding example of the Najdi architectural and decorative style typical of the center of the Arabian Peninsula. It testifies to a construction method well adapted to its environment, with the use of adobe bricks in the large palace complexes, coupled with a remarkable sense of geometric ornamentation.

Criterion (v): The site of the district at-Turaif in ad-Dir’iyah illustrates an important period in human settlement in the central Arabian plateau, when in the mid-18th century Ad. -Dir’iyah becomes the capital of an independent country. Arab state and an important religious center. The At-Turaif District in Ad-Dir’iyah is an outstanding example of traditional human settlement in a desert environment.

Criterion (vi): The district of At-Turaif was the first historical center of unified power in the Arabian Peninsula. Its influence was greatly strengthened by the teachings of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahhab, a great reformer of Sunni Islam who lived, preached and died in the city. After a long alliance with the Arab Kingdom, by the mid-18th century, it was from ad-Dir’iyah that Salafiyya’s message spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and the Muslim world.

Integrity

The property comprises the remains of a relatively comprehensive urban complex of which much of the composition remains intact, although many buildings have been ruined. The original plan is well preserved and is clearly visible in its road network. Therefore, the structural integrity of the property is acceptable. The property is not subject to excessive modern development, as it has been abandoned for a long time and the integrity of the landscape appears satisfactory, albeit fragile.

Authenticity

The architectural and urban components of the property that were not altered or rebuilt during 20th-century reuse or restoration are authentic. The buildings are generally in a state of dilapidation or vestiges. A large program of restoration work is carried out, respecting the original locations, plans and techniques. It must pay particular attention to preserving the authenticity properties of buildings and the road network. Vigilance must be continued and reinforced by a conservation program taking precedence over other considerations.

Protection and management requirements

Since 1976, the property has been protected under Antiquities Act 26M, 1392 (1972). This law protects movable and immovable antique property that is registered as “antique,” a term that can be applied to monuments that are at least two hundred years old. The Ministry of Education and the Antiquities Council are responsible for enforcing the law. This is enhanced by a police department under the governor’s responsibility. A new bill that systematically provides for a 200 m protected zone around the property’s boundary is pending approval.

A detailed global management plan of the property is being prepared by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the designers of the Living Heritage Museum, the property management structure in future. This should give priority to the organization and monitoring of the preservation of the various historic components that comprise the property. A scientific conservation committee must be established with a variety of powers to identify, monitor, and track programs and projects working for the property.