Tales of a Kingdom

Get a mesmerizing glimpse of the history and heritage of Saudi Arabia.

- SHARON KING HOGE

The life story of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia follows a journey from riches to rags to untold wealth, and tracing the emergence of Ibn Saud, who became King Abdul Aziz, presents a fascinating itinerary. Wearing a long skirt and long-sleeved T-shirt, although no head covering, I went sightseeing undisturbed on foot and in cars to locations of Saudi history.

The ancestral story begins in 1744 in Diriyah, a mudbrick village and the stronghold of the first Saudi family dynasty. A flourishing crossroads of traders and pilgrims, it served as capital until 1818, when Turks conquered it and banished the Saud family to neighboring countries.

Today the Diriyah Gate project reimagines and transforms the antique village into a 2.5-square-mile cultural and mixed-use destination. Calculated to celebrate the country’s rich cultural history, it centers around Al-Turaif, the original citadel area and a UNESCO Heritage site.