The Historical Palace of the Emirate

The Historical Palace of the Emirate is a mud-brick government building in the old Aba Al-Saud neighbourhood (Al-Balad) of Najran, Saudi Arabia. People come to see the region's traditional building style at full scale and to step inside a place that once ran the affairs of the whole area. There is no minimum age, so families can visit together. The palace stands beside the old heritage market, so it is easy to combine with a walk through the surrounding streets. Look up at the four round towers on the corners, known as Qasabat, which rose above the high walls so that guards could keep watch. Within the compound there is also a building that once handled telecommunications and post. Trained staff are on hand to explain the history. Nearby you will find Al-Janabi market, leather workshops, pottery shops and tailors selling traditional Najran clothing for men and women. Prince Turki bin Madhi, then governor of Najran, had the palace built in 1944, and the work took about two years. It was meant to be the headquarters of the Emirate of Najran and its government offices. The building covers 6,252 square metres over three floors, with around 60 rooms, and is made from mud-brick and local timber. Its high walls and watch towers reflect the defensive habits of the Najran valley.