The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the oldest countries in history, and its history bears witness to wars, battles, and conflicts between great powers. As a result, prominent historical landmarks are spread throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the most famous of which is the Al Masmak Palace in Riyadh’s capital.
The palace played a major role in shaping Saudi Arabia, witnessing influential events in history. Now, Al Masmak Palace stands with greatness in the capital, carrying historical secrets within its walls and witnessing violent battles. It has become one of the most famous museums in Riyadh and a distinctive tourist destination.
Explore Al Masmak Palace Museum

Masmak is not just a name; it has a deep meaning in the Arabic language. It means a strong, fortified building, and in the past, it was used as a weapons storehouse.
Al Masmak Palace witnessed the story of the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to the battle to retake Riyadh, which is represented by the remains of the spearhead of Bin Jalawi on the gate of the fort. In the battle of 1902, Prince Fahd bin Jalawi was one of the members of King Abdulaziz’s army and his famous story is about when he threw his spear to target Ali Ajlan bin Rashid and missed his target, so the spearhead settled in the gate, creating a large crack that is a witness to the heroic story of the king’s senior servants.
To enter the Al Masmak Palace Museum, you will pass through a palm gate in an open courtyard known as Al Khokha, which allows one person to enter, due to security measures. The museum has many attractions, including the large courtyard outside the fort and the watchtowers overlooking the city. There are also ancient historical works of art dating back to before the early twenties. You can see many freshwater wells and you can drink from them. Next to the museum is the Al Masmak Souq, or Al Zal Souq, one of the most famous Saudi markets for buying souvenirs and learning about handicrafts.
Al Masmak Fort directions

Al Masmak Palace was the center of power and money in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, It is a strong and impregnable fortress against enemies, in addition to its high walls that are difficult to penetrate. The palace design is extremely complex, it has only two entrances with small openings in the walls that allow for throwing oil barrels and using guns during wars. In 1995, it was transformed into a museum to symbolize the history of the restoration of power. Al Masmak Palace Museum carries within its walls the traces of that era and the conflicts it witnessed.
Al Masmak Palace Museum History
In the Hijri fourteenth century, the palace was built during the reign of King Abdullah bin Faisal to be a center of power and money. The palace served many purposes, as it served as an army headquarters and ended when it was invaded by King Abdulaziz when his forces took control of Riyadh in 1902 and unified the kingdom. Al Masmak Palace is 150 years old and serves as an archaeological museum that displays historical pieces and works of art in addition to weapons and maps used in the past.
Al Masmak Palace Museum Design

The palace has six main parts: the castle gate on the western side, the council and the mosque, and the well on the northeastern side. In the corners of the courtyard, there are four towers and the residences of the ruler and guests. Al Masmak Palace Museum provides an enjoyable wandering experience among its historical walls, as it is one of the symbols of history for the Arabs.
Al Masmak Palace Museum timings
- Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm
- Sunday from 8 am to 9 pm
- Monday from 8 am to 9 pm
- Thursday from 8 am to 9 pm
- Wednesday from 8 am to 9 pm
- Thursday from 8 am to 9 pm
- Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm
Location: 6937 Al Thumairi St, 6937، 3153, Riyadh 12634