The historic Al Masmak Fort in Riyadh – in pictures

  • The Masmak Fort in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a photo taken in 1934 by the British diplomat, explorer and historian, Gerald de Gaury. Photo: Gerald de Gaury / Royal Geographical Society via Getty Images
    The Masmak Fort in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a photo taken in 1934 by the British diplomat, explorer and historian, Gerald de Gaury. Photo: Gerald de Gaury / Royal Geographical Society via Getty Images
  • The fort was built between 1865 and 1895 and completed by the Al Rashid family, who fought against the Al Saud for supremacy in central Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
    The fort was built between 1865 and 1895 and completed by the Al Rashid family, who fought against the Al Saud for supremacy in central Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
  • The fort was at the centre of historic Riyadh in 1902, when Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud retook the town from the Al Rashid governor. Getty Images
    The fort was at the centre of historic Riyadh in 1902, when Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud retook the town from the Al Rashid governor. Getty Images
  • A close-up shows the fort's clay and mudbrick walls. Getty Images
    A close-up shows the fort's clay and mudbrick walls. Getty Images
  • The main entrance to the Al Masmak fort was a large gate, within which was a smaller postern gate almost a metre off the ground known as the Al Khokha. This small entrance was easily defensible as it required the person entering to hop over the waist-high ledge. Getty Images
    The main entrance to the Al Masmak fort was a large gate, within which was a smaller postern gate almost a metre off the ground known as the Al Khokha. This small entrance was easily defensible as it required the person entering to hop over the waist-high ledge. Getty Images
  • Another angle shows the entrance to the fort. It was here that the decisive moment of the battle for Riyadh took place in the early hours of January 16, 1902, when the Rashidi governor Ajlan was killed by either the future Saudi king Abdulaziz or his cousin, Abdullah Ibn Jaluwi. Alamy
    Another angle shows the entrance to the fort. It was here that the decisive moment of the battle for Riyadh took place in the early hours of January 16, 1902, when the Rashidi governor Ajlan was killed by either the future Saudi king Abdulaziz or his cousin, Abdullah Ibn Jaluwi. Alamy
  • The fort still stands today and is one of the few buildings in Riyadh from the pre-oil era. In 1995 it was converted into the Al Masmak Museum. Getty Images
    The fort still stands today and is one of the few buildings in Riyadh from the pre-oil era. In 1995 it was converted into the Al Masmak Museum. Getty Images
  • During the Noor Riyadh festival, a logo designed by Saudi artist Ali Al Ruzaiza to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Saudi Arabia was projected on to the Masmak Fort. Photo: Noor Riyadh
    During the Noor Riyadh festival, a logo designed by Saudi artist Ali Al Ruzaiza to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Saudi Arabia was projected on to the Masmak Fort. Photo: Noor Riyadh
  • The fort featured on the official logo to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1902 battle of Riyadh, which was circulated across the kingdom. Photo: Eiman Elgibreen
    The fort featured on the official logo to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1902 battle of Riyadh, which was circulated across the kingdom. Photo: Eiman Elgibreen
  • The Al Masmak Museum today, with Riyadh seen in the background. Photo: Al Masmak Museum
    The Al Masmak Museum today, with Riyadh seen in the background. Photo: Al Masmak Museum