Riyadh
Capital of Culture
Saudi Arabia
Capital of Culture of Saudi Arabia
The name Riyadh comes from the Arabic word "rawḍah", which means "gardens" or "meadows". This refers to the extraordinary fertility and lush green gardens of this region. Riyadh is not only the administrative and political capital of the country, but it is also recognized as the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia, thanks to the city's numerous cultural centers, such as the Abd al-Aziz Royal Historical Center (National Museum).
#Rijad #ArabiaSaudyjska #KulturaArabiiSaudyjskiej
Riyadh has undergone a rapid transformation from a small village to a modern city with tall skyscrapers. The city's iconic landmark, the Kingdom Center, with its 99 stories tall, is the fifth tallest skyscraper in the country. Riyadh is located in the center of the Arabian Peninsula, a historically important trade route that combines different cultures and traditions. #KingdomCenter #Rijad #MiastoNowoczesne
History
The first mention of Riyadh dates back to 1590 and was recorded by an Arab chronicler. The city was founded on the ruins of the ancient city of Hajr in the Yamamah region, which was once the epicenter of trade caravans. Initially, it was a fortified village, and its rapid development from the seventeenth century to today is remarkable. The city served as the capital for ruling dynasties for centuries, and after the declaration of the unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, it became the capital of the country.
#HistoriaRijadu #StolicaArabiiSaudyjskiej
At-Turaif is home to the historic district of Riyadh, which was the seat of the Saudi royal family until 1818. This district is just a 30-minute drive from King Khalid International Airport and was recently restored as part of the billion-dollar Diriyah Gate project. Diriyah is also located near the Diplomatic District.
#Diriyah #AtTuraif #DziedzictwoUNESCO
At-Turaif was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 and has since been known as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif. Visitors to At-Turaif can also explore the nearby Al Buraiji Heritage Park and the Buraiji Terrace, which offers world-class restaurants and cafes. The restaurants on the Bujairi Terrace overlook the historic and beautifully restored At-Turaif district. #DziedzictwoUNESCO #AlBuraijiPark #TarasBujairi
Geography
Riyadh is located at about 600 meters above sea level. The landscape consists mainly of the highlands of the Najd region. Although the region contains mountains and elevations such as Al-Khuff, Jilh Al-ʿIshār, and Ṭuwayq, Riyadh's area is almost flat.
#GeografiaRijadu #RegionNadżd
The city is undergoing massive expansion with the Vision 2030 project, with several new luxury shopping malls and restaurants such as VIA Riyadh offering world-class restaurants and shops. Restaurants in VIA Riyadh are considered some of the most exclusive in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia and include international brands such as Spago by Wolfgang Puck.
#VIA_Rijad #Wizja2030 #LuksusoweZakupy
City layout
Riyadh has undergone a huge transformation, thanks to the influx of new residents, migrant workers and expats. The city's skyline is easily recognizable thanks to skyscrapers such as the Al-Faisaliah Tower and the Kingdom Tower Center. As the capital, Riyadh also contains important government buildings, as well as a separate Diplomatic Quarter that houses foreign embassies and international organizations. There are also many shopping malls in Riyadh, including Roshn Front.
#AlFaisaliahTower #KingdomTower #DzielnicaDyplomatyczna
The city was designed on a well-organized grid system, consisting of 2 km by 2 km city blocks. Such a system provides easy access and orientation in the city. There are more than 4000 mosques and numerous shopping malls in Riyadh, and a large part of the population lives near them. The new Royal Abd al-Aziza Financial District (KAFD) is an impressive infrastructure project funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), as is Riyadh's new metro, which is set to become a major component of the city's new public transport system. The Abdel Aziz Royal Financial District also has the PIF Tower, which is currently the tallest building in Riyadh, reaching a height of 385 m.
#KAFD #RiyadhMetro #PIFTower
Cultural life
The heart of the city with its souks (handicraft bazaars) forms the axis of the city. These markets attract a huge number of people and are recognized as popular tourist attractions in Riyadh. In keeping with local traditions, most entertainment activities and events are aimed at families. Privacy is very important according to the norms of the country, so gender separation is practiced. Despite this, Riyadh also hosts events and activities for mixed audiences. Expats can also enjoy attending the numerous cultural events that take place throughout the city and explore Riyadh's best spots.
#SoukiRijad #KulturaRijadu #RiyadhEvents
Not only is Riyadh the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia, but in 2000, UNESCO chose Riyadh as the heritage capital of the Arab world. The city consists of several centers that showcase culture, including the Abd al-Aziza Royal Center, the National Museum, and Al-Jinadiriyyah. The Royal Abd al-Aziz Center (National Museum) offers deep knowledge and is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.
#UNESCODziedzictwo #MuzeumNarodowe #AlJinadiriyyah
Popular attractions
Both the Sky Bridge at the Kingdom Center and the Al-Faisaliah Tower offer stunning views of the city. To get to the Sky Bridge, you need to take two elevators to reach the 99th floor of the Kingdom Center. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city both during the day and at night, making it the perfect place to explore Riyadh.
#SkyBridge #WidokRijad
In addition to the National Museum, Riyadh is also home to other great museums, such as the Al-Masmak Palace Museum and the Diriyah Museum. Those interested in history and life in the desert village should visit the At-Turaif Historical District, as well as the Ushaiqer Heritage Village and the Murabba Historical Palace.
#MuzeumAlMasmak #MuzeumDiriyah #UshaiqerHeritageVillage
The Riyadh Zoological Garden is another popular tourist attraction. Located in the heart of Malaz, Riyadh's Zoo is home to more than 1500 animals in 40 species, including endangered species. You can also visit the Riyadh Season, which takes place during the winter months and offers a variety of entertainment zones. #RiyadhZoo #RiyadhSeason
Finally, Riyadh also offers unique natural wonders such as Heet Cave, Al-Bujairi Heritage Park, and Jebel Fihrayn, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views from the "Edge of the World".
#HeetCave #AlBujairiPark #JebelFihrayn #KrawędźŚwiata