Enter Saudi Arabia's valley of kings and heroes

Diriyah, popularly known as the valley of kings and heroes, is an ancient architectural richness that is superlative. Designed for the wellbeing of all those who visit, live, and work there, Diriyah is a heritage city of walkable streets and beautiful outdoor spaces planted with more than 30,000 old and new trees. A historical treasure, rich in nature, culture, beauty, and art, Diriyah was built in 1766. The valley was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. The on-going development work of restoration and repair of the valley under the Saudi Vision 2030 is set to offer much more to local and foreign tourists. As soon as one enters the majestic Diriyah Valley, its authentic Najdi architecture takes you back in time to the first Saudi state. The Najdi architecture at the At-Turaif has been celebrated through ages for its purity, serene modesty and functional beauty. Diriyah is flourishing with a historical monument and a history that bears witness to the ancient Saudi glory. From the centre of the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the meeting point for merchant caravans in the Arabian Peninsula, the valley has indeed witnessed a great history. Built in harmony with nature using natural material, low-rise buildings are designed around tranquil inner courtyards of the valley that provide privacy and shade, with facades instantly recognizable for their geometric motifs and distinctive coloured doors. Diriyah’s bold vision combines these architectural traditions with modern construction techniques to create a state-of-the-art global city built in authentic Najidi style. The valley is designed for an exceptional quality of life. Diriyah is a unique destination, bringing together everything you need for an enriching lifestyle of relaxed enjoyment and pure pleasure. Thousands of local and foreign visitors and heritage lovers visit this majestic valley monthly. Exceptional culinary experiences, from local cuisines to Michelin-starred restaurants, Diriyah’s dining destinations offer a dazzling array of culinary experiences from every corner of the world. Diriyah, a blend of ancient and modern cultures, offers much more than fabulous cuisines and dining experiences. The valley enriches its visitors with the historical treasure of Wadi Hanifa, Salwa Palace and Imam Abdullah Bin Saud Palace. Wadi Hanifa The literature and preserved water structure of Diriyah reveals that like other societies in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula, the growth of communities in that area was dependent on the adequate availability of groundwater. Wells in the Wadi Hanifa contributed to the growth of the Addriyiah and flourishing of agricultural life. Water was used not only in agriculture but also various other aspects of everyday life. According to the area’s literature, it is the place where the Saudi royal family lived under the leadership of Imam Mohammad bin Saud, the forefather of Saudi Arabia’s current king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, also the custodian of the two Holy Mosques. At Diriyah, visitors can learn a great deal about the Saudi history through museums, cultural institutes, and academies. A thematic period village recreates life as it was three hundred years ago. Strolling through the district with its assortment of galleries, restaurants and authentic retail displays is a memorable experience. Located along the west of the historic Diriyah, the Wadi Hanifah is ideally located near the birthplace of the first Saudi state and the Turiaf historic dining. Salwa Palace The Salwa Palace was constructed by Imam Abdulaziz Bin Saud in 1765 AD, with an area of 960 square meters in the north of Diriyah. The name came into origin because its construction and diversity of facilities brought comfort and conviviality (salaw) to its residents and guests. It was a great landmark at that time with an authentic Najdi style and stood as a majestic symbol of the first Saudi state. The Salwa Palace consists of various residential, educational, and administrative units. The Majlis is the tallest part of the palace with three floors and is topped by Roshen, in addition to platforms of science and culture for the people of the region to learn writing, reading and religion. At that time when Diriyah was the core zone that would change the map of the country, the Salwa Palace was the seat of government during the era of the first Saudi state as well as the home of its princes and Imans.   Imam Abdullah Bin Saud Palace Near the south portion of the Salwa Palace, the façade of historical Saudi palaces of the first Saudi state shows great Najdi structures. A pointy terrace and geometric shapes are used for the purpose of ventilation and lighting. The palace was built more than two centuries ago. Every visitor can see the bridge located between the two palaces decorated with three triangle holes. The palace belongs to Imam Abdullah bin Saud who was crowned after the death of his father, Imam Saud Alkabeer, whose reign lasted for four years, from 1814 AD to 1818 AD. After some repair work, the palace still has an area of 2,000 square meters, consisting of three main sections, various guest rooms and meeting halls, accommodation for servants and guardians, a warehouse for weapons and ammunition, a warehouse for supplies, a horse stall, and livestock barns. The Imam Abdullah bin Saud Palace has been converted into a social life museum. It displays the construction of a traditional Najdi house, including bedrooms, guest rooms, (majlis) yards, and a variety of collections, such as clothes, furniture, that highlight life, daily activities, and authentic traditions of the early Najid people. Mosque architecture The historic mosque of Diriyah is situated at At-Turaif’s main entrance next to the Safwa Palace overlooking the Wadi Hanifah. The historic mosque has witnessed many momentous events. It has served as Addiriyah’s principal mosque, built in traditional Najdi style with locally sourced stone, mudbrick, and wood. The mosque was constructed with a central courtyard around which stood structural columns, each topped with stepped capitals and separated by a distinctive triangular arch. Its remnants illustrate the scale of destruction inflicted by the Ottomans. The mosque stood proudly until the end of the Ottoman siege in September 1818 when the invaders subjected it to artillery bombardment, and to demolish the remains, they set it on fire. Excavations have uncovered a layer of ashes and several cannon baits, confirming the historic accounts. People of Diriyah rebuilt the south-western section of the mosque in 1941, and it remained in use until restoration work began on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif. The mosque’s excavation, which was initiated in 2007, revealed great details that had been concealed by the mosque’s destruction. The most notable discovery was the sheer size of the mosque, particularly its northern extensions, which may date from the reign of Imam Saud bin Abdul Aziz. The excavation also shed light on the structure of the columns, foundations and roof, water drainage and the bridge to the Salwa Palace. Diriyah is located close to the north-west of the Saudi capital Riyadh. Within a few minutes of travelling, you can see downtown Riyadh, the diplomatic quarters, the financial district, and some of Riyadh’s major shopping and dining destinations. A ninety-minute drive from the valley of kings and heroes can take you to the King Khalid International Airport. A few kilometre drive from Diriyah valley can take you to many other cultural and historic landmarks, including the King Khalid Grand Mosque, King Salman Park, and the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, known as the King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre.   Shazia Mehboob Tanoli is a freelance investigative journalist based in Islamabad. She tweets @shizrehman. All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer