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Alia Palace in Makkah: A Historic Witness to a Lost City from 1,300 Years Ago

Alia Palace in Makkah. (SPA)
Alia Palace in Makkah. (SPA)
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Alia Palace in Makkah: A Historic Witness to a Lost City from 1,300 Years Ago

Alia Palace in Makkah. (SPA)
Alia Palace in Makkah. (SPA)

Standing tall southeast of Rabigh governorate in Makkah Region and a few kilometers from Miqat Al-Juhfah, the historic Alia Palace is a testament to one of the ancient Hajj pilgrimage and trade routes that connected Makkah to Madinah.

Perched on the left bank of the Wadi Al-Ghaidah, Alia Palace resembles the remnants of a crumbling fortress dating back to the Abbasid era. It forms part of a long-lost city, with only the foundations of basalt stone structures remaining, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.

The archaeological features of Alia Palace and its surrounding historic sites underscore the significance of the ancient city of Al-Juhfah, known anciently as Mahya'ah, which faded into obscurity during the early Abbasid period.

Constructed with exquisite Abbasid architectural style, the palace was built using black basalt stone sourced from the nearby mountains. The site also contains fragments of green-glazed pottery, which provide insights into the historical period of the palace through shards of various vessels.

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Culture

Louvre Museum’s Director Resigns in Wake of Jewels Heist in Paris

Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris. (AP)
Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris. (AP)
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Louvre Museum’s Director Resigns in Wake of Jewels Heist in Paris

Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris. (AP)
Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris. (AP)

The director of the Louvre Museum who had been under fire since the stunning and embarrassing heist of the French Crown jewels in October has stepped down from the position, French President Emmanuel Macron ’s office said Tuesday.

The office said in a statement that Macron accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, and that he praised the move as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects involving security upgrades, modernization” and other initiatives.

Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal 88 million euros ($102 million) worth of crown jewels in a weekend heist at the world’s most visited museum, shocking the world.

Des Cars was named director of the Louvre, one of the museum world's most prestigious posts, in 2021.

She had offered to resign on the day of the robbery but was refused by the culture minister.

“I saw a tragic, brutal, violent reality for the Louvre, and as the person in charge, after all the hard work done by the teams that day — it felt right to offer my resignation,” she said in November.

Macron thanked des Cars for “her work and commitment” and said he wanted to give her a new mission focused on cooperation among major museums, the statement said.

It didn't say if she accepted.

Culture

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.

Culture

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.