Name
Al Diriyah (Dir'aiyah)
 
Database Info
created by thoughtcriminal on 3/1/2006 6:57 PM
last modified by thoughtcriminal on 12/14/2008 5:02 PM
 
Viewing Options
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Viewability
Publically Viewable
Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 
Overview
 
Description
Abandoned/restored village 20km northeast of Riyadh. The name is pronounced "da RYE ah" and is sometimes transliterated as Dariyah.
 
Basic Information
Type: Abandoned/restored village
Status: Active/Abandoned
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: drop everything - must see
 
Hazards
  • Sun. Heat. Religious police.
 
Security Measures
     
    Required Equipment
    • Water. Water. And more water. Hat and sunscreen, too.
     
    Physical Information
    Address

    Al Diriyah, Ar Riyad
    Saudi Arabia
    Owner: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - heritage site
     
    Interesting Features
    Desert ruins with restored palaces and abandoned residences. Oasis with active farming nearby.
     
    Historical Dates
    Built: 1446
    Closed: 1978
     
    Recommended Equipment
     
    History
    First Capital of the Saud dynasty (1744-1818). Destroyed by the Ottomans in 1821. Re-occupied in the early 1920's during King Abdul-Aziz's campaigns. In 1974 the government began relocating residents to New Dir'aiyah. Restoration began in 1978.
     
    Media Coverage

     
    Future Plans

     
    Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    Category Rating
    Photography 9 / 10
    Coolness 8 / 10
    Content Quality 7 / 10
     
    Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Steed on 12/16/2008 7:51 AM.
     
    Latest Changes
    • on Dec 16 08 at 7:51, Steed validated this location
    • on Dec 14 08 at 17:02, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Web Links
    • on Dec 14 08 at 17:00, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Latitude, Longitude
    • on Aug 23 07 at 3:28, Emperor Wang validated this location
    • on Sep 12 06 at 6:40, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Latitude, Longitude
    • on Sep 12 06 at 6:08, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Latitude, Longitude, Prefer Satellite
    • on Apr 7 06 at 20:27, Mickael validated this location
    • on Mar 1 06 at 21:03, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Description
    • on Mar 1 06 at 20:20, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Owner, Description
    • on Mar 1 06 at 20:19, thoughtcriminal changed the following: Required Equipment
     
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