page_title: Masmak Fort
section_title: Architecture
hierarchical_section_title: Masmak Fort / Architecture
caption_attribution_description: English: Southwest corner of the Masmak Castle from Thumairi road.
context_page_description: The Masmak Fort, also called the Masmak Fortress or Masmak Palace, is a clay and mudbrick fort in the old city of Riyadh, situated in the modern-day Deira district. Built in 1865 by 'Abdurrahman ibn Sulaiman under the Emirate of Jabal Shammar, The fortress played an integral role in the Unification of Saudi Arabia, with the Battle of Riyadh, one of the most important conflicts of the Saudi unification, taking place in the fort. Since 1995, the fortress has been converted into a museum showcasing one of the most important landmarks of Saudi heritage.
context_section_description: The Masmak can be divided into six distinct parts: the gate, the mosque, the majlis, the well, the towers and the courtyard.
  Gate
  The main gate of the palace is located in the western wall, measuring 3.6 m (12 ft) high and 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) wide. It is 10 cm (3.9 in) thich and is made of palmwood. There is an opening on the center of the door, called al-Khokha, which is just big enough for one person to pass at a time, and is a defensive feature designed to allow people in and out without opening the door.
  Mosque
  The mosque is located to the left of the entrance. It is a large room supported by several columns with shelves in the walls for placing mushafs of the Quran. A mihrab can be found in the mosque, and there are holes in the walls to provide ventilation.
  Majlis
  
  It is located directly ahead of the entrance and is a room in the shape of a rectangle. On the wall facing the entrance and the southern wall, there are holes in the walls for ventilation and lighting, similar to those found in the mosque.
  Well
  The well is located in the northeastern corner of the fortress.
  Watchtowers
  In each of the corners of the mosque are conical towers, each approximately 18 m (59 ft) high. The towers are accessed through staircases located inside them. The walls of the towers are especially thick, with a thickness of 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in).
  Courtyard
  The courtyard is surrounded by rooms with columns connected to each other internally, and it has stairs on the eastern side leading to the first floor and roofs, and there are three residential units, the first served as the residence of the ruler, the second used as a bayt al-mal, and the third was allocated for the accommodation of guests.
caption: Southwestern tower of the fortress
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