Diriyah

 Diriyah  

On our way into Riyadh, we stopped at Diriyah, now a suburb of Riyadh. The first Saudi kingdom was established in 1727 with Diriyah as its captial. It brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom stretching across much of present day Saudi Arabia. It prospered from increased trade and sat at the centre of a cobweb of trade routes across the area.

It was attacked by the Ottoman Empire in 1818 and absorbed into an expanding empire. The city had resisted and in return, it was destroyed and the population executed or sent into exile. It has recently been renovated but there was not much to renovate so a lot has been rebuilt as it may have been. And to attract visitors, there is a huge expanse of facilities, up market, high priced restaurants, cafes, ice cream bars, kiddies rides, parks and playgrounds. Entrance by pre-ordered ticket is free during the day but visitors have to pay in the evening if they want the food options and the opportunity to see some coloured lights and be jostled by the crowds.

It is a cross between a historical and cultural centre with potential, swamped by a large commercial element or a theme park with a few mud bricks in one corner. 

Part of one of four palaces and museums on site.

Wells were an essential part of a successful city.

A restored street, very reminescent of Ushaiqer.