After a cornerstone-laying event in November, the New Year sees the mission to showcase a cultural icon to the world begin in earnest. The Diriyah Gate project, the new cultural and lifestyle tourism destination located on the northwestern edge of Riyadh, is the seven square kilometre giga project set to allure international tourists and local citizens looking for authentic and cultural experiences. The mixed-use traditional urban community with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its heart is a one-of-kind celebration of the Kingdom’s abounding cultural history.
"There is only one Diriyah. Only this place can tell the story of the Saudi people and inspire new generations to commit to the dynamic vision of the future. This is truly a momentous time in this extraordinary country, and I am proud to lead a world-class team in the development of this historic site that is destined to become a global cultural icon and one of the world's greatest gathering places, “Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, said. The organisation was established in 2017 to preserve Diriyah's history, celebrate its community and develop the historic site into one of the world's best meeting venues and a hub for Saudi culture and heritage.
The historic and magnificent surrounds of the Diriyah Gate project will provide places for people to unite, explore, shop, dine out, live and work. As well as allowing shoppers to choose from leading luxury and lifestyle retail brands, foodies visiting the site will be able to pick from over 100 cafes and restaurants. Plus, the Diriyah Gate project will be a go-to destination for museum, theatre and gallery lovers as it will house five art galleries, four museums and two theatres. It will also offer interactive, fun and educational experiences.
One the biggest renovation projects within the Kingdom will also be a spot where visitors can enjoy the world-renowned hospitality leading luxury brands like Aman Resorts are known for. And in addition to being home to over 20 leading hotel names, the Diriyah Gate project will boast a Formula E racetrack and a 15,000-seat arena.
About Diriyah
Diriyah is an extensive 18th century adobe city that is very important to the Saudi national identity and the Kingdom’s royal family. The At-Turaif district, where Diriyah is situated, was the first capital of Saudi Arabia. It was at Diriyah that "Arabia" first became "Saudi," giving it great historical and cultural relevance. Open-air and indoor museums are already dotted throughout the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
