Where it all began in 1902

Marie is holding one of her favorite knitting magazines while wearing the traditional abaya next to the small door entrance leading into the much larger gate of the Mamlak Fort in the center of Riyadh. A spear tip is still in the door where she is pointing, the remains of a spear thrown by soon to be King Abdulazziz bin Saud who upon capturing the fort reclaimed his family's honor and led to the unification of the Arab/Bedouin tribes under one ruler. This was the beginning point of the modern country of Saudi Arabia. A museum now occupies the fort with tours offered in many languages today. A city approaching 5 million has grown up around this central feature in its history. By the way, this picture appeared in a later issue of the knitting magazine Marie is holding.

We pass by this fort each time we come to the gold sooq and the quaint older shopping area of central Riyadh. This is one of our fun areas to take new visitors and acquaintances to browse through the shops in the old quarters of Riyadh.