Historic Diriyah

Diriyah was founded in 850 AH / 1446 CE by Mani ibn Rabiah Al Muraidi, the ancestor of the Al Saud family. He came at the invitation of his cousin Ibn Dir, ruler of Hajr Al Yamamah (modern Riyadh), who granted him land at the meeting point of Wadi Hanifah and Wadi Safar. From then, Diriyah gradually expanded to include districts such as At-Turaif, Al Bujairi, Ghasibah, Samhan, and others, until it became the capital of the First Saudi State founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1157 AH / 1744 CE. Around 74 years later, the Ottoman state under Ibrahim Pasha waged war against the Saudi state, besieging Diriyah for six months amid fierce battles between the forces of Imam Abdullah bin Saud, the last ruler of the First Saudi State, and Ottoman forces. After strong resistance and the exhaustion of resources, Diriyah surrendered on the condition that civilians be protected and bloodshed avoided. Despite Ottoman promises, Ibrahim Pasha broke those promises, committed massacres against civilians, destroyed the city and its districts, burned its palm groves, and polluted its wells. Nevertheless, life gradually returned to Diriyah and it prospered under the modern Saudi state. Heritage revival and restoration programs began in 1419 AH / 1999 CE, bringing life back to the historic districts that today include museums and a wide range of markets, shops, and international restaurants in Historic Diriyah.