Barzan Palace

Barzan Palace is a historic landmark in the heart of Hail, Saudi Arabia, and one of the city's most important urban heritage sites. People come to see what remains of the royal home of the Al Rashid dynasty, which was once the political and social centre of Hail. Visitors can walk up to the surviving towers, which rise to about 12 metres, and picture how they once stood above the buildings around them. The site opens Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, and on Friday from 13:00 to 18:00. There is no minimum age, so families can bring children of any age. Take your time to look at the architecture and to think about how the palace fitted into the city around it. The name Barzan reflects how prominent the palace was among the city's structures. Accounts describe a large mud-brick building of several storeys, built in the early 19th century, with royal guest houses, gardens and a grand tower. It served as the administrative centre of the region before it was largely destroyed, which is why the towers that remain carry so much weight today.