Gallery
Description
Property Name: Ibrahim Palace
Inventory No: –
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2020
Country (State party): Saudi Arabia
Province: Al Ahsa
Town: Al Hofuf
Geographic coordinates: 25°22’43.80″N 49°35’12.90″E
Historic Period: 16th Century
Year of Construction: 1549
Style: Ottoman
Original Use: Palace / Castle
Current Use: Museum
Architect: Unknown
Significance
It was built in 1556 by Ali Ibn Ahmed Ibn Lawand Al-Burayki, the Ottoman governor of the time.
A palace of historical importance, it was known in the past as Al Kut. It was the headquarter of the Ottoman army during their rule of Al-Ahsa, and the palace was attributed to the governor, Ibrahim bin Afaisan, Prince of Al-Ahsa during the reign of Imam Saud. Its area is about (5600 square meters). It was chosen for its architectural style, space and historical significance.
A must-see tourist attraction for the visitors of Al Ahsa. Ibrahim Palace, which is currently being restored, is located in the center of the old district of Kut in Hofuf. It used to be a part of the city’s northern wall, which was built
in the Ottoman Empire between 956-1091 AH (1549-1680 AD). The area surrounding the palace was developed and it became the administrative center of the regional government.
Selection Criteria
ii. to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design
iii. to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
State of Preservation
The castle was renovated in 1801 by the Saudi governor Ibrahim Ibn ‘Ufaysan. Several historians believe that the castle was named after him. In 2018, Al-ahsa oasis became the fifth Saudi site to be registered on the UNESCO world heritage . In 2019, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has announced that the procedures of renovation of all parts of the palace have finished. This restoration process included rebuilding the fallen parts, painting the buildings and preparing a main square for the tourism activities and festivals.
References
UNESCO
Commission of Tourism and Heritage