Four historic palaces to be turned into heritage centers, museums

RIYADH: The National Urban Heritage Center (NUHC) is restoring four historic palaces in order to transform them into cultural and heritage centers which, besides hosting events, will also house museums to exhibit local culture and heritage, and promote domestic tourism.
Given by their owners to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the SCTNH will use these historic palaces after restoration to house local museums and will periodically host cultural and heritage events for tourism purposes, which will help the local population with jobs, an SCTNH official said Thursday.
The donated mansions are Bin Raghoosh Palace in Al-Baha Province, Therban Palace in Al-Nammas municipality, Al-Asskar Palace in Al-Majm’a and Al-Rashid Palace in Al-Qassab.
The official pointed out that the restoration work is progressing at speed at all these palaces to transform them into significant landmarks in their respective regions.
He said that land survey and architectural documentation for the Bin Raghoosh Palace has been completed and all required schemes have been finalized in a way that is compatible with its architectural elements and local identity, including protecting the building’s existing elements, plus strengthening works on the foundation.
SCTNH President Prince Sultan bin Salman visited the palace to inspect the work in progress.
Moreover, the work at Therban Palace is ongoing, where the project consists of a number of heritage and architectural elements including a museum on Al-Nammas history, a heritage restaurant, handicraft and productive family’s souk, old mosque and celebration yards.
Prince Sultan visited the palace during the 4th Urban Heritage Forum in Asir in December 2013, during which he laid the foundation stone of the palace’s restoration project at a total cost of SR5 million.
The SCTNH recently concluded restoration of Al-Asskar Palace and studies related to its operation are underway.
The palace illustrates old Najdi architectural features and is considered one of the most famous palaces in the region which had been visited by King Abdul Aziz.
Al-Rashid Palace, which is located in Al-Qassab city, northwest of Riyadh, represents a tourist landmark that could be invested in for tourism and cultural purposes. Hence studies are underway by SCTNH.