Al-Imara Palace







The historic Al-Imara Palace in Al-Ghat Governorate is an prominent historical site in the Kingdom, reflecting the authentic Najdi architectural style and rich history. This palace has stone foundations topped with mud walls and roofed with tamarisk wood and palm fronds. It served as the seat of government and headquarters of the town Imara. It consists of three sections, each forming an integrated architectural unit. The oldest section has remained intact. The palace sections consist of 50 rooms distributed on two floors. They consist of a men's living room, grain and date storage areas and reception halls. Each hall has a staircase leading to the living rooms upstairs. The palace is situated in the middle of a natural landscape of palm plantations and traditional mud houses, which gives it a distinctive traditional character. Following its restoration and rehabilitation, the palace was transformed into a museum documenting Al-Ghat history down the ages, from prehistoric times through the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods, up to modern times. Museum holdings include manuscripts, maps and artifacts that reflect the social and cultural life in the province. It includes a visual theater, which displays the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, during his visit to the Heritage Town. It also comprises a museum administration section, reception halls, an antique store and a traditional coffee shop that has preserved its ancient character. Al-Imara Palace offers a full cultural experience, in which heritage is blended with modern documentation, making it a unique destination for discovering the history of Al-Ghat and its role in building the Saudi State.

