Al-Murabba Place

General information

Constructed in 1356 AH in Riyadh, Al-Murabba Palace marked the first expansion outside the old city's walls, ordered by the late King Abdulaziz - may Allah bless his soul - to be his residence and moved to it one year later. The palace and its surrounding area were completed in 1366 AH, taking around ten years of construction. This rectangular-shaped palace has an idyllic architectural design, with residential units arranged around an open-air interior courtyard. It also has a main gate on the western side, later transferred to the southern side. King Abdulaziz used to move between the palace and the adjacent mosque through three upper corridors connecting the two buildings. The ground floor in this two-story palace contains 16 rooms for the Royal Cabinet and His Majesty's assistants and servants, while the first floor has two halls; the largest was designated to receive the King's visitors, and the smaller one was used as a winter salon. This floor also features a summer salon and rooms for various government departments. The palace embodies the traditional Najdi style, characterized by its walls made of mud bricks mixed with straw, adorned with geometric motifs engraved on plaster. Materials used for the ceilings include local wood with palm leaves and fronds. This historical landmark has undergone restoration works that maintained its mesmerizing traditional style.