Most weeks keep us so busy that by the time the weekend comes, we squander it lounging around at home, sleeping in, and relaxing, venturing out only to stock up on our weekly stash of groceries or to eat somewhere. So last weekend, we decided it was high time we actually did something in Riyadh.We went to Masmak Fort, one of the most famous sites in KSA because it represents the birthplace of the country. Built of mud, clay, and grass, it has thick, strong walls and a watch tower at each of four corners. It was built in about 1865 under Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Rasheed, a ruler from the north who took over the Riyadh region from the al-Saud clan. In 1902, the al-Sauds regained control when the famed Abdul-Aziz conquered the fort, thereby unifying Saudi Arabia and becoming the first king. (His full name, in case you wanted to know, is Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Faisal Al Saud.)
Misha and I pose before entering the fort.
The inner courtyard has a well
Misha looks out the little windows to the outside. The walls are probably over five feet thick. Misha thought the fort was great - he dashed from room to room, peeking into corners. In this watch tower, however, his exclamations of "This is cool!" turned into "This is dumb!" as he realized that visitors are not allowed to climb the ladder to the top layer of the watch tower. Alas!
This model of the fort shows what it looks like in its entirety.
And this model shows the walled city of Old Riyadh. The walls are now torn down, but one of the gates to the city still stands.
Dira Square near the fort also goes by the name of Justice Square, or to expatriates, the more ominous "Chop Chop Square," as it is the place where public executions are carried out.
Dira Square.
A little side street full of vendors selling traditional handicrafts.
Josh, Misha, and Sebastian hang out on the street in front of the fort.
Misha and I pose before entering the fort.
The inside has many triangular-shaped windows that allow ventilation from room to room and circular windows to the outside that give a glimpse of how thick those walls really are.
The inner courtyard has a well
and a cannon on display.
Misha looks out the little windows to the outside. The walls are probably over five feet thick. Misha thought the fort was great - he dashed from room to room, peeking into corners. In this watch tower, however, his exclamations of "This is cool!" turned into "This is dumb!" as he realized that visitors are not allowed to climb the ladder to the top layer of the watch tower. Alas!
This model of the fort shows what it looks like in its entirety.
And this model shows the walled city of Old Riyadh. The walls are now torn down, but one of the gates to the city still stands.After visiting the fort, we stopped for some cold, refreshing orange juice before continuing our adventure in the mid-day heat. We walked the streets of the "old quarters" of Riyadh, peeking into markets to find souvenirs and old money collections.
Misha walking near Dira Sooq. (Sooq means market, or bazaare.)
Misha walking near Dira Sooq. (Sooq means market, or bazaare.)
Dira Square near the fort also goes by the name of Justice Square, or to expatriates, the more ominous "Chop Chop Square," as it is the place where public executions are carried out.
Dira Square.
Adjacent to Dira Square.
A little side street full of vendors selling traditional handicrafts.
This little clock tower is a famous landmark in the narrow streets of the old quarter.
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