RIYADH: The National Urban Heritage Center (NUHC) is restoring four historic palaces in order to transform them into cultural and heritage centers which, besides hosting events, will also house museums to exhibit local culture and heritage, and promote domestic tourism.
Given by their owners to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the SCTNH will use these historic palaces after restoration to house local museums and will periodically host cultural and heritage events for tourism purposes, which will help the local population with jobs, an SCTNH official said Thursday.
The donated mansions are Bin Raghoosh Palace in Al-Baha Province, Therban Palace in Al-Nammas municipality, Al-Asskar Palace in Al-Majm’a and Al-Rashid Palace in Al-Qassab.
The official pointed out that the restoration work is progressing at speed at all these palaces to transform them into significant landmarks in their respective regions.
He said that land survey and architectural documentation for the Bin Raghoosh Palace has been completed and all required schemes have been finalized in a way that is compatible with its architectural elements and local identity, including protecting the building’s existing elements, plus strengthening works on the foundation.
SCTNH President Prince Sultan bin Salman visited the palace to inspect the work in progress.
Moreover, the work at Therban Palace is ongoing, where the project consists of a number of heritage and architectural elements including a museum on Al-Nammas history, a heritage restaurant, handicraft and productive family’s souk, old mosque and celebration yards.
Prince Sultan visited the palace during the 4th Urban Heritage Forum in Asir in December 2013, during which he laid the foundation stone of the palace’s restoration project at a total cost of SR5 million.
The SCTNH recently concluded restoration of Al-Asskar Palace and studies related to its operation are underway.
The palace illustrates old Najdi architectural features and is considered one of the most famous palaces in the region which had been visited by King Abdul Aziz.
Al-Rashid Palace, which is located in Al-Qassab city, northwest of Riyadh, represents a tourist landmark that could be invested in for tourism and cultural purposes. Hence studies are underway by SCTNH.
Four historic palaces to be turned into heritage centers, museums
Four historic palaces to be turned into heritage centers, museums
Iranian ambassador thanks Saudi for not allowing territory to be used during war
- Alireza Enayati tells AFP Iran appreciates Kingdom's pledge not to allow its 'airspace, waters, or territory' to be used in US attacks
- Envoy also denies that his country hit the US embassy in Riyadh this week with drones
RIYADH: Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati said on Thursday his country remained appreciative of Saudi Arabia’s pledge to not allow its airspace or territory to be used during the ongoing war with the US and Israel.
“We appreciate what we have repeatedly heard from Saudi Arabia — that it does not allow its airspace, waters, or territory to be used against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he told AFP.
Before the outbreak of war, Riyadh had thrown its support behind diplomatic efforts to diffuse tensions between Tehran and Washington and vowed that its airspace would not be allowed to be used for attacks against Iran.
Enayati also categorically denied that his country hit the US embassy in Riyadh this week, after Saudi officials said Iran targeted the compound with drones.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Tehran of launching missile salvos and drone attacks at its territory and warned that the kingdom reserved the right to defend itself, including by retaliating.
Iran had earlier denied attacking the sprawling Ras Tanura refinery — one of the largest in the Middle East — which Riyadh had also accused Tehran of targeting twice with drones.
Enayati added to the denial, saying Iran also had no hand in the targeting of the US embassy that triggered a fire at the compound.
“We confirmed that Iran has no role in the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh,” the ambassador told AFP.
“If the operations command in Tehran attacks somewhere, it takes responsibility for it.”
The war in the Middle East has engulfed the otherwise stable Gulf region as Iran retaliates over US and Israeli strikes that killed its supreme leader, launching strikes at Israel, the wider region and beyond.
At least 13 people have been killed in the Gulf, including seven civilians, since Iran began its attacks on Saturday.
Enayati, however, denied that Iran was waging a regional war as retaliation for the attacks on his country by the US and Israel.
“This is not a regional war and it is not our war. It was imposed on the region,” he told AFP.
