The National Museum of Saudi Arabia in the vicinity of Riyadh City Center, Bathah in Murabba, could be the first choice for a tourist to begin with his tour of Riyadh. Excelling in architectural design and serene landscaping make it an amusing experience.
An amazing fact behind this museum is that the museum building, collections and displays had been created from scratch over a mere 26 months, working constantly to the deadline of the January 1999 centennial celebration. It was the result of an international design competition that it proudly won.
The facade
The museum’s signature image, the dune-shaped facade.
The museum is part of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in the Al-Murabbah area that spread around 83 acres. The lead architect of the Museum is Raymond Moriyama.
According to The Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf, the National Museum was a contributing factor in Riyadh’s designation by UNESCO as the cultural capital of the Arab World in 2000
National Museum timing for visitors
| Weekdays | Morning (9AM-12PM) | Evening (4:30-9:30PM) |
| Saturday | schools/boys | closes for (maintenance) |
| Sunday | schools/girls | families |
| Monday | schools/boys | families |
| Tuesday | schools/girls | men |
| Wednesday | schools/boys | families |
| Thursday | schools/boys | families |
| Friday | close | families |
By the opening of the museum in January 22, 1999 the museum-going became a leisure activity in Saudi Arabia with the splendid and serene design of the landscapes with water play areas, streams, pools and indigenous plants evoking the image of desert oasis.
Situated in the premises of National Museum, The Murabba Palace was built by the founder and first King of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz bin Saud. It was built in 1934 as an expansion of the city of Riyadh. It took 5 years for construction of the palace (that completed in 1939) in which was the residence of the King and his family.
In addition to the voluminous libraries in Riyadh like King Fahad Library in Olaya and King Abdul Aziz Library near Exit 13 Ring Road, King Abdul Aziz Public Library in Murabba has a good collection of writings both in English and Arabic. Its architecture is beautifully blended with that of National Museum and General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities buildings that are at a distance of 200 meters.
