Masmak Fort

The Masmak Fort (Arabic: قصر المصمك‎, romanized: Qaṣr al-Maṣmak), also called the Masmak Fortress or Masmak Palace, is a clay and mudbrick fort in the old city of Riyadh, situated in the modern-day Deira district. Built in 1865 by 'Abdurrahman ibn Sulaiman under the Emirate of Jabal Shammar,[1] The fortress played an integral role in the Unification of Saudi Arabia, with the Battle of Riyadh, one of the most important conflicts of the Saudi unification, taking place in the fort.[2] Since 1995, the fortress has been converted into a museum showcasing one of the most important landmarks of Saudi heritage.[3][4]

Masmak Fort
قصر المصمك
Entrance to the fortress
Alternative namesMasmak Fortress
Masmak Palace
General information
Architectural styleArabian
AddressQasr al-Masmak, Al Imam Turki ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad, Dirah, Riyadh 12652
Town or cityRiyadh
Country Saudi Arabia
Construction started1865
Completed1895

History

The fort was built in 1865 by Emir of Riyadh, 'Abdurrahman ibn Sulaiman under the reign of Mohammed al-Rasheed, the ruler of the Emirate of Jabal Shammar and head of the House of Rasheed, who had wrested control of the city from the local House of Saud, who later went into exile. It was built with four watchtowers and thick walls, with a foundation of stone blocks, lying in the center of Riyadh, in the old city, part of the modern Deira district. It is one of the only historic buildings that has survived in the kingdom. The building was situated in the commercial center of historic Riyadh.[2]

In January 1902, Emir 'Abdulaziz ibn Saud Al Saud, who was at the time living in exile in Kuwait, returned to Riyadh and led an ambush against the Masmak fortress, regaining it from the House of Rasheed in the Battle of Riyadh. The event, which restored Saudi control over Riyadh, is considered one of the most important in the completion of the Unification of Saudi Arabia.[5][6] It was used as a munitions warehouse from 1902 to 1938 by King Abdulaziz before he moved his court to then newly built Murabba Palace.[7]

In 1979, the Municipality of Riyadh prepared a study for the restoration of the Masmak, following which a renovation of the fortress began.[8] Their vision was realized in 1995 when the Ministry of Education and the Supreme Commission for the Development of Riyadh converted the building into a museum, making it an integral part of Saudi heritage.[3][4] It was later incorporated into the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, a series of restored buildings in Riyadh.[8] Centennial celebrations were held in 1999. The museum includes displays several antique guns, costumes and agricultural artifacts.

Architecture

The Masmak can be divided into six distinct parts: the gate, the mosque, the majlis, the well, the towers and the courtyard.

The Masmak Fortress in 2014

Gate

The main gate of the palace is located in the western wall, measuring 3.6 m (12 ft) high and 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) wide. It is 10 cm (3.9 in) thich and is made of palmwood. There is an opening on the center of the door, called al-Khokha, which is just big enough for one person to pass at a time, and is a defensive feature designed to allow people in and out without opening the door.

Mosque

The mosque is located to the left of the entrance. It is a large room supported by several columns with shelves in the walls for placing mushafs of the Quran. A mihrab can be found in the mosque, and there are holes in the walls to provide ventilation.

Majlis

It is located directly ahead of the entrance and is a room in the shape of a rectangle. On the wall facing the entrance and the southern wall, there are holes in the walls for ventilation and lighting, similar to those found in the mosque.

Southwestern tower of the fortress

Well

The well is located in the northeastern corner of the fortress.

Watchtowers

In each of the corners of the mosque are conical towers, each approximately 18 m (59 ft) high. The towers are accessed through staircases located inside them. The walls of the towers are especially thick, with a thickness of 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in).

Courtyard

The courtyard is surrounded by rooms with columns connected to each other internally, and it has stairs on the eastern side leading to the first floor and roofs, and there are three residential units, the first served as the residence of the ruler, the second used as a bayt al-mal, and the third was allocated for the accommodation of guests.

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See also

References
  1. "Masmak Fortress | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  2. Jonathan M. Bloom; Sheila Blair (2009). The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture: Delhi to Mosque. Oxford University Press. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-19-530991-1. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  3. "مدينة الرياض". riyadh.sa. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. "مدينة الرياض". riyadh.sa. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. "Al-Masmak Fort". Saudi Arabia Tourism Guide. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. "Al Masmak Fortress". www.visitsaudi.com. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  7. "Historic Riyadh". Simbacom. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  8. "Riyadh". Meet Saudi Arabia. 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2013.

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