RIYADH: Riyadh has stood witness to both the modern and past history of the Kingdom, its squares, neighborhoods and streets narrating the phases of its story.
The city has always been present in the chapters of history, and it is the place where important decisions were taken.
In the past 86 years, the Kingdom was transformed from a barren desert into a flourishing modern country. Development is moving quickly with many projects underway. The city emerged as the center of political activity when the King Abdulaziz made it as a launching point to unify all parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and established the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The city now has 6 million inhabitants.
According to ancient references, Riyadh was known as Hajar, since 715 BCE, and was the capital of the Yamama region. According to historians, Hajar is located between Al-Bathaa’ and Wadi Hanifa. With the passage of time, Riyadh underwent its urban revolution and changed from a small town surrounded by walls into a modern city.
The name Hajar was gradually replaced by Riyadh with the entry of Imam Abdul Aziz bin Mohammad bin Saud who joined it to the Dariya.
Riyadh continued to be the capital for the second Saudi reign, and continued until Imam Abdul Aziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud made it the capital of his state in 1319 Hijri. He wanted Riyadh to become a modern city, and built a mud wall around the city with a number of towers for its defense. Its inhabitants entered the city through gates called drawez. The majority of houses were made of mud and some of stone. The buildings didn’t follow any certain pattern, hence the twisted and narrow streets.
The wall was removal from around Riyadh in 1950 because the city needed to expand and its inhabitants had increased. The government established Riyadh Municipality in 1953, and created the municipal council in 1964. These developments contributed to changing the urban appearance of the city.
Riyadh was known for its many gates that played an important part in historical events. These included Al-Thumairi in the east, Al-Sweilim in the north, Dakhna Gate, Al-Mathbah Gate in the west, Al-Shmeisi Gate, Al-Waseeti Gate in the east, Al-Qari gate in the east, Al-Mreiqib Gate in the west and the Eastern Gate.
Riyadh was ruled by many governors, notable among them being Sheikh Mohammad bin Saad bin Zeid 1928-1935, who was one of King Abdulaziz’s confidants. He was assigned the responsibility of Riyadh Governorate.
In 1936 Prince Naser bin Abdul Aziz governed Riyadh, and administrative work started during his reign and left a clear imprint in the governorate’s history.
Prince Sultan took over the governorate in 1946. Governors who ruled Riyadh over the years included Prince Naif, Prince Salman, Prince Turki, Prince Fawaz, Prince Bader bin Saud, Prince Sattam, Khalid bin Bandar, Prince Turki bin Abdullah and Prince Faisal bin Bandar.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, fondly talks of Riyadh where he was born and brought up before assuming his administrative responsibilities. “Riyadh is part of my life. I lived in it when it was a small town with a few thousand inhabitants who worked in trade and agriculture. Now it’s a modern city that registered its presence in international venues. It’s the Kingdom’s capital and the center of decision making on the international and local levels,” said the king.
Riyadh has witnessed many economic booms that started with the discovery of oil. King Abdulaziz built Al-Murbaa’ Palace north of Riyadh during that era, and provided citizens with plots of land, which were allocated by the municipality in 1944. Roads were paved and railway lines constructed from the Eastern Province to Riyadh. The Riyadh airport was opened and to keep up with modernization, the royal palace was rebuilt, in addition to the building of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulrahman in Ateeqa, and Al-Shamsiya Palace.
Riyadh witnessed further development with the building of government buildings and ministry headquarters, making it the administrative and political capital of the Kingdom.
New neighborhoods appeared during that time such as Al-Nasiriya, Al-Malaz, Al-Badeea’ and Al-Murabba’. In the period between 1969 to 1975, Riyadh witnessed rapid development. Public services were provided to various areas.
Riyadh — at the center of Kingdom’s history
Riyadh — at the center of Kingdom’s history
