Exploring Al-Masmak Fort in Riyadh

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The al-Masmak Fort which located in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is one of the prominent places in the history of this country.

It is a must visit destination for the foreign tourists and local residents as it will awe everyone with its history and magnificient architectural design which has been built in 1865.

The word Al-Masmak means the high, fortified and thick building.

This thick clay and mud-brick fortress was connected
to the re-capture of Riyadh incident in January, 1902 by the late King Abdulaziz Al-Saud after he left Kuwait.

It was then used by the late King Abdulaziz from 1902 to 1938 as a warehouse for ammunition and weapons for two years before it was changed into a prison.

In 1980s, the Saudi government made a series of renovations as an effort to restore and maintain the valuable artifacts to Saudi history besides presenting the storming Al-Masmak and the recovery of Riyadh by the late King Abdulaziz.

The 153 year-old building then becomes a museum in 1995 which visitors can find halls and rooms displaying maps, weapons, photographs and costumes to a number of agricultural artifacts. 

Among the most important features of Al-Masmak includes The Gate, The Well, Al Masmak Towers and Ford's Mosque.

-- BERNAMA