Al-Musmak Castle is considered one of the important landmarks in the Kingdom and occupies a prominent place in the history of Arriyadh in particular, as it represents the blessed march that led to the foundation and unification of the Kingdom.  This castle is associated with the heroic battle of conquering Riyadh under the leadership of King Abdulaziz on the dawn of the fifth of Sha'aban 1319H.

 

Musmak means the thick, high, and fortified and was built during the reign of Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Rasheed (1289 -1315H) and was captured by King Abdulaziz in 1319H, corresponding to 1902H.  Later, it was used as a depot until it was decided to convert the castle into a heritage landmark that represents a stage in the history of Saudi Arabia.

 

In 1400H, Riyadh Secretariat had prepared a special study to repair Musmak, and then the Ministry of Education (represented in the Assistant Agency for Archeology and Museums) in co-ordination with ArRiyadh Development Authority, has adopted a program to convert this landmark into a museum, to display the stages of the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz.  It was opened in 1416H, corresponding to 1995H under the auspicious of H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh.

 

Musmak Landmarks

 

Gate of the Palace

The Palace Gate lies on the Western side of the Palace.  The Gate is 3.6 meters high and 2.65 meters wide.  It is made of palm and tamarisk trunks with a thickness of 10 cm.  There are three beams each of 25 cm thickness.  There is an opening at the center, called the skylight used as a small door that permits the entry of only one person while bending down.  This gate has witnessed the fierce battle between King Abdulaziz and his opponents, and it is easy to see the bayonet, which was broken at the gate. 

 

The Mosque             

It is located left of the gate.  It is a wide room with many pillars and shelves for the Holy Quran, Mihrab and ventilation openings at the walls and roof.

 

Sitting Place (Saloon)

It lies opposite to the gate.  It is a rectangular room with a traditional Najdi burrow.  There are ventilation and light openings on the Western side, as well as the southern side, overlooking the main yard.

 

The Well

The well is found on the north-eastern side, where water is drawn by a scaffold mounted on the mouth of the well.  Water is drawn by bucket.

 

Watch Towers

There is a cylindrical watch tower at each of the four corners of Al Musmak Castle.  Each watch tower is 18 meters high.  The lower is ascended by stairs and a wood ladder. In each watch tower there is a place for riffles around the premises of the watch tower.  The thickness of the wall of the watch tower is about 1.25 meters.  There is a square watch tower in the center of the palace.  This tower is called Al Muraba'a, that means ‘the square’ and it overlooks the palace through the upper balcony.  There is a main yard surrounded by rooms with connected pillars.  There are stairs on the Eastern side leading to the first floor and the roofs.  There are three residential units, the first was used as a residence for the ruler, the second was used as a treasury and the third was specified for the guests.

 

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