King Salman Park Foundation Launches Royal Arts Complex Project

The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)
The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)
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King Salman Park Foundation Launches Royal Arts Complex Project

The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)
The King Salman Park Foundation announced the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex. (King Salman Park Foundation)

The King Salman Park Foundation, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced on Wednesday the launch of construction of the Royal Arts Complex, on an area exceeding 500,000 square meters.

The Royal Arts Complex is one of the most important landmarks of the King Salman Park project, which was launched by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on March 19, 2019, under the direct supervision of the Crown Prince.

The Royal Arts Complex will comprise the Museum of World Cultures, which is being built in one of the complex’s buildings and reaches up to 110 meters in height. It also boasts the National Theater with a 2,300-seat capacity. The Complex will also comprise the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, which includes three academies: the Academy of Traditional Visual Arts, the Academy of Cultural Heritage and Restoration, and the Academy of Theatrical Arts.

The complex will also boast a sculpture pavilion, two theaters, three cinemas, and a large hall that will house the works of artists and creators. It will hold a library specialized in culture and arts that includes more than 250,000 books.

By embracing the Salmani architectural design, which blends modern and traditional values, the King Salman Park Foundation aspires to embody the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed in establishing the complex as a major beacon of culture and arts in the heart of the capital, Riyadh.

The park aims to support the realization of one of Vision 2030’s main tenets through the creation of a vibrant and healthy society, whose members enjoy a healthy lifestyle in a positive and attractive environment.

The King Salman Park is projected to become Riyadh’s “green lung” and the world’s biggest urban park as it sits in an area of over 16 million square meters. It will provide a vibrant experience for the city’s residents by offering them a variety of environmental, cultural, artistic and recreational options.

The park also aims to boost the global ranking of Riyadh among the “world’s top liveable cities”.

King Salman Park is characterized by its strategic location in Riyadh, and it is linked to several main roads, as well as the Public Transport Project, which includes Riyadh’s train and bus network.

The project boasts a circular pedestrian walkway, stretching 7.2 kilometers, open spaces extending to more than 11 square kilometers, and about 1 million trees covering all areas of the park.



Ceremony Begins to Replace Kiswa of Holy Kaaba, Continuing a Legacy of Over 100 Years

The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
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Ceremony Begins to Replace Kiswa of Holy Kaaba, Continuing a Legacy of Over 100 Years

The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, officially started the annual ceremony to replace the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba, a tradition that has been carried out for over a century.

As part of the carefully coordinated process, the complex began by removing the gilded curtain from the Kaaba door, which measures 6.35 meters in length and 3.33 meters in width, as well as dismantling the chandeliers and decorative ornaments, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

This marks the beginning of replacing the old Kiswa with a new one, crafted with exceptional precision and spiritual significance. The new Kiswa is currently en route to the Grand Mosque, accompanied by a comprehensive system of logistical and operational support that follows the highest global standards.

A fully Saudi team of 154 trained craftsmen, each scientifically and practically qualified, is overseeing the process. Their duties include raising the old Kiswa, detaching the gilded elements, and installing the new Kiswa, which comprises 47 intricately embroidered black silk panels featuring 68 Quranic verses stitched with 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.

To create the new Kiswa, the team used 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread, 60 kilograms of pure silver, 825 kilograms of silk, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton. Additionally, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines within the complex.

The ceremony is a profound expression of the Kingdom's dedication to serving Islam’s holiest sites. The continued renewal of the Kaaba's Kiswa stands as a majestic and enduring symbol of reverence, care, and spiritual legacy upheld by Saudi Arabia for over a century.