Khuzam Palace: It is not clear when Khuzam Palace was built, but it is estimated to have been the work of Imam Saud bin Abdul Aziz in 1805. Located in the southwestern entrance to Hofuf, it offered military protection for Bedouin traders passing by Al-Ahsa to buy supplies and trade.
The palace is considered to be smaller than the Palace of Ibrahim in Al-Ahsa’s Al-Kutt. The entrance is located in the middle of the northern outer wall with a corner for security guards and a square tower erected above it.
The lower parts of the outer wall were restored in 1988 and there are corridors from the top for monitoring and openings for soldiers to fire in cases of emergency.
The palace has six towers in total, three on the north side and three more on the south side made up of two stories. The towers are circular, except for the middle northern tower, which is rectangular shaped.
The General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage in Al-Ahsa is protecting historical sites in the governorate with surveillance cameras to guard against graffiti attacks on its walls.
Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Farida, director of the Tourism Authority in Al-Ahsa, visited the historic palace to inspect restoration and rehabilitation work on the walls.
People convicted of defacing or damaging archaeological or heritage sites face jail terms of up to a year and a fine of up to SR100,000 ($27,000).
ThePlace: Khuzam Palace in Hofuf
ThePlace: Khuzam Palace in Hofuf
- The General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage in Al-Ahsa is protecting historical sites in the governorate
Visitors flock to enjoy Jazan during school break
RIYADH: The mild weather and range of recreational activities on offer means waterfronts and public parks across Jazan are welcoming an influx of visitors during the school break.
Mayor Yahya Al-Ghazwani said the municipality had prepared many recreational spaces ahead of the holiday, including 22 waterfronts, 236 public parks, 20 scenic overlooks, 203 sports fields and 214 walkways, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Designated family-friendly areas have been provided at waterfronts and public parks, offering facilities such as seating areas, green spaces, children’s play zones, kiosks and a wide selection of restaurants and cafés.
Al-Ghazwani said the diversity of public facilities has boosted community participation in recreational activities. Popular activities include walking and cycling, as well as water sports such as swimming and beach volleyball.
He added the municipality had increased its efforts to prepare and maintain the areas, along with more monitoring of commercial establishments, to enhance services.
Jazan’s parks are central to the region’s quality of life projects, which directly align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of building a vibrant society, improving living standards and enhancing urban beauty.
