With its unique Islamic pattern and engineering designs that embodied the era of its construction around the mid-fourteenth century Hijri, the King Abdulaziz Palace in Al-Muwayh Governorate in Al-Taif can be seen as an architectural masterpiece that became one of the historical monuments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The palace is characterized by its central location among adjacent villages and its proximity to the Hajj road at that time between old Al-Muwayh (Al-Muwayh Al-Qadim) and the new Al-Muwayh. With an estimated area of 14,900 square meters, the palace is almost 185 kilometers away from Taif to the east. It is surrounded by a wall of solid black rocks with a height of 4.5 meters and one meter thick. Its construction embodied the identity of the area in the pattern of old Saudi palaces. The palace is secured with two watchtowers and two castles from the eastern and northern sides, and is composed of a wall with a yard for the Royal compartment that is built with rock and gypsum, in addition to protocol halls for receiving guests and visitors, and headquarters for prominent figures and accompanying government delegations. Visitors of the palace can notice its rectangular shape to the west of the castle. It has two entrances. The main entrance leads to housing and service units, a dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a palace for guests, in addition to several rooms overlooking an uncovered yard. The main entrance is on the northern side. Two wells secured water for its occupants. The castle has a mosque, several towers, a room for preparing coffee, a bedroom and a gas station to fill up cars, and another residential palace in the middle of the castle with six rooms. Al-Muwayh, more than 85 years ago, had the honor to receive King Abdulaziz during his first visits in 1360 Hijri to the palace that was built in 1357 Hijri. The palace was known among the main stations of the late king upon his arrival for Hajj, Umrah, spending the summer or hunting. He also used to meet with the citizens at the palace during his annual visit to the area. — SPA
