Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
National Museum
MUSEUM
(King Abdul Aziz Museum; ext 1290 402 9500;
www.nationalmuseum.org.sa
; King Saud Rd; adult/child/student
SR10/free/free; men & schools 9am-noon Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu & 3.30-9.30pm Tue, women & schools 9am-noon
Tue, families 3.30-9.30pm Sun, Mon & Wed-Fri)
This state-of-the-art museum is one of the finest in
the Middle East. Encased within modernist architecture, its two floors contain eight well-
designed and informative galleries covering Arabian history, culture and art. The galleries
beautifully display evocative rock carvings, engaging models and a full-scale reconstruc-
tion of a Nabataean tomb from Madain Saleh. Films (in English via headphones) shown
on 180° screens complement the exhibits, as do virtual visits to sites and other excellent
interactive displays.
Masmak Fortress
HISTORIC SITE, MUSEUM
(Qasr al-Masmak; 411 0091; Imam Turki ibn Abdullah St; men 8am-noon & 4-9pm Sat, Mon & Wed, women
& families 8am-noon & 4-9pm Sun & Tue, 9am-noon Thu)
This squat fortification was built
around 1865 and was the site of Ibn Saud's daring 1902 raid, during which a spear was
hurled at the main entrance door with such force that the head is still lodged in the door-
way. The information panels and short, chest-thumping films on the storming of the fort-
ress and the 'reunification' of Saudi Arabia are reverential towards the Al-Sauds, but
worth watching nonetheless. Highlights among the exhibits include maps and a fascinat-
ing range of photographs of Saudi dating from 1912 to 1937 in galleries converted from
diwans
(living rooms).
Al-Faisaliah Tower
NOTABLE BUILDING
OFFLINE MAP
( 273 3000;
www.rosewoodhotels.com
; King Fahd Rd, off Olaya St; admission SR45, viewing platform adult/fam-
ily SR40/50;
10am-midnight, viewing platform 10am-11.30pm Sat-Thu, noon-11.30pm Fri)
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