Central Riyadh

Below are some pictures in central Riyadh to give perspective.

Above is the main square known as "chop-chop square" outside the central Mosque not far from the old fort and seat of power for the tribal groups that controlled the Riyadh area. Under Sharia law sentences are carried out in public, which is often in the central area of a city like above. In this particular square there are multiple jets of water in a 15 meter square that will shot up fountains of water to wash away any blood from a public execution. If westerners happen to be in the area they are often escorted to the front of the crowd that would gather to have a very close and up front view of these events, which usually took place on Friday, the day of worship for the Muslims.




This is the central fort which is well maintained and the original seat of power for Saud family when King Abdulaziz recaptured the city and began his rise of conquest uniting most of the tribal groups on the Arabian Peninsula during a period from 1902 to 1936. Conquest took many forms: sending in his Wahabi warriors or through marriage. Given that King Abdulaziz could have upto four wives at any given time, he was able to unit the major tribal groups and use his warriors to subdue the smaller tribes. As oil revenues started to roll in during the mid to late 1930's, King Abdulaziz had the means to secure the loyalty of the tribes by offering financial support, which largely ended the raids of one tribe against another tribe to take camels, horse and other goods, which were the measure of wealth among the tribes.

King Abdulaziz is held in the highest regard and revered as the founder of the modern nation of Saudi Arabia. His picture is everywhere. His sons have succeeded him in the monarchy and head up the key administrative posts in the government while his grandsons head up the ministries posts.





Above is the old city gate, which is also in good repair and opened on special occasions. The Direh shopping area with many quaint old shops in central Riyadh and of course the gold sooq start just behind this gate along the very narrow street and even narrower side streets. As one passes by these many shops on both the left and right you would soon come to the central fort and continuing on pass more shops you come to Clock Tower and "chop-chop square".