Saudi Heritage Commission Registers 3,202 New Sites to National Urban Heritage Register

Saudi Heritage Commission Registers 3,202 New Sites to National Urban Heritage Register
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Saudi Heritage Commission Registers 3,202 New Sites to National Urban Heritage Register

Saudi Heritage Commission Registers 3,202 New Sites to National Urban Heritage Register

The Saudi Heritage Commission has announced the registration of 3,202 new sites in the National Urban Heritage Register, bringing the total number of registered sites to 28,202, reflecting the richness of Saudi heritage, as part of its efforts to document and protect heritage sites.
The newly registered heritage sites included 16 in Riyadh, 8 in Makkah, 1 in Qassim, 2 in the Eastern Region, 3170 in Aseer, 2 in the Hail region, 1 in Najran, and 2 in Al-Baha, according to SPA.
This registration was based on the Antiquities, Museums, and Urban Heritage Law and the decision of the Heritage Commission's Board of Directors, which authorized its CEO to register heritage and archaeological sites to protect their historical and cultural value.
The Heritage Commission urged citizens and residents to report heritage sites that may not yet be registered within the framework of enhancing cooperation with the community through the Balagh platform, its official social media accounts, and its branches spread in all regions of the Kingdom, as a means of facilitating everyone's contribution to this national work.



Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
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Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA
The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity - SPA

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s heritage in a modern, creative spirit.

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops, all emphasizing the history and principles on which the Saudi state was founded, SPA reported.

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity, fostering pride in the Kingdom’s history, and preserving its cultural legacy for future generations.


Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
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Riyadh Cultural House Marks Founding Day with Creative Heritage Programs

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA
The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops. SPA

The Riyadh Cultural House celebrated the Kingdom’s Founding Day with a range of cultural programs that highlighted national values and showcased the nation’s heritage in a modern, creative spirit.

The events included poetry evenings, dialogue sessions, cultural performances, and interactive workshops, all emphasizing the history and principles on which the Saudi state was founded.

The celebration underscored the role of cultural houses in strengthening national identity, fostering pride in the Kingdom’s history, and preserving its cultural legacy for future generations.


Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Renovates Historic Al-Qibli Mosque in Riyadh

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA
Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace - SPA

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques continues efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s authentic architectural identity.

One of its recent projects is the comprehensive renovation of Al-Qibli Mosque in the old neighborhood of Manfuha in Riyadh. The restoration reflects traditional Najdi architecture and highlights the mosque’s connection to the town’s administrative and social history, SPA reported.

Al-Qibli Mosque is named for its location west of Manfuha and near the Principality Palace. It was historically the closest mosque to the town’s seat of government and was frequented by princes and prominent figures. The mosque spans approximately 500 square meters. It includes an outer courtyard, an inner prayer hall, and a lower prayer room of equal size that dates back to the original construction. Square, plaster-lined windows on the north and south sides provide natural ventilation.

These were added during the mosque’s second reconstruction around 1364 AH (1945 AD).

The covered inner prayer hall measures 15 by 8 meters and rests on 33 columns arranged in three rows. It was built by architect Abdullah bin Masoud upon the order of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman. The roof is constructed using tamarisk and palm trunks, and a minaret stands at the center of the northern façade. Following earlier renovations in 1414 AH (1993 AD), the mosque remains the last mud-brick mosque in old Manfuha.

According to SPA, its design creates a visual connection between the courtyard and the inner hall, alongside a secluded lower prayer room. The site also includes the historic water fountain of Faris bin Abdullah bin Shaalan, who died in 1175 AH (1762 AD), and an old ablution area.

The current renovation uses the same local materials as the original construction, including mud, plaster, tamarisk wood, and palm fronds. Specialized Saudi heritage companies and engineers are overseeing the work to ensure preservation of historical authenticity while meeting modern sustainability standards.

The restoration aligns with the project’s four objectives: preparing historical mosques for worship, restoring architectural authenticity, highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural dimension, and enhancing religious significance. The project supports the cultural and civilizational goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and contributes to preserving the Kingdom’s architectural heritage for future generations.