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Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for Development of Historical Mosques Integrates Modern and Ancient Construction Standards in the Renovation of Qalaa Mosque
The Qalaa Mosque was established in Hotat Bani Tamim in Riyadh in 1250 AH. The mosque is a prominent example of the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques. The renovation of the mosque strikes a balance in integrating modern and ancient building standards to achieve sustainability and development while preserving the historical characteristics of the site. Named after the Citadel of Imam Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud, where the mosque was situated during that period, the Qalaa Mosque retains its intrinsic value after renovation, with an area of 625.78 square meters that can accommodate the same number of worshippers, 180. The mosque was built in the Najdi style, where clay is the main component. This technique places clay and straw in wooden molds to form bricks. Besides being cost-efficient, this technique allows the structure to be heat-resistant to preserve a moderate temperature in the building. The Qalaa Mosque is part of the second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques, covering 30 mosques across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia, with six mosques in Riyadh, five in Makkah, four in Madinah, three in Asir, two in each of the Eastern Region, Al-Jauf, and Jazan, and one mosque in each of the Northern Borders Region, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Najran, Hail, and Al-Qassim. The project is developed by Saudi companies specializing in historical structures, with Saudi engineers' involvement in preserving each mosque's authentic architectural identity. The project's first phase included the restoration of 30 historical mosques in 10 regions. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques serves four strategic objectives: restoration of historical mosques for worship and prayer, restoration of the urban authenticity of historical mosques, highlighting the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia, and enhancing the religious and cultural status of historical mosques. The project also contributes to highlighting the cultural and civilizational extent of the Kingdom as one of the pillars of the Saudi Vision 2030 by preserving authentic urban characteristics and utilizing them to contribute to the development of modern mosque designs.
