Saudi Arabia to Inaugurate Diriyah Gate, a new cultural and lifestyle tourism destination with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its heart

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 11 November 2019: The restoration and reimagining of Diriyah, a sweeping 18th century adobe city that once served as the capital and stronghold of the first Saudi State, will be officially inaugurated at a special November 19th gathering. This cornerstone-laying event comes as the country continues its pioneering plans to welcome visitors from near and far, and underlines Saudi Arabia’s mission to showcase the cultural icon to the world as one of its great gathering places.

The celebration will formally inaugurate the new giga project known as ‘Diriyah Gate’, a cultural and lifestyle tourism destination for Saudi Arabia with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its heart.

Located on the North Western edge of the Saudi capital of Riyadh, Diriyah is first and foremost, a place that is deeply important to the Saudi national identity and the Saudi royal family. It was at Diriyah that “Arabia” first became “Saudi” with the settlement of Imam Muhammed in 1744, and the heroic military defense of the city against successive invaders. This intimate inaugural event is meant to pay homage to the history, perseverance, and ultimate triumph of the Saudi state as it continues to grow into a major regional and global power.