Located on the northwestern edge of Riyadh, Diriyah occupies a central place in Saudi history.
Its historic At-Turaif District, built primarily in the traditional Najdi mudbrick architectural style, was the political center of the First Saudi State in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Its palaces, defensive structures and urban remains now form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restoration and development are turning the wider Diriyah area into a major cultural destination incorporating museums, heritage attractions, restaurants, public spaces and hospitality.
With palm-filled Wadi Hanifah nearby and Riyadh's modern skyline within reach, Diriyah provides a striking connection between the origins of the Saudi state and the country's contemporary capital.
