Glimpses of an Arabian castle being restored
Al Jeraisy Castle is getting a facelift
Today we travelled from Ushayqir to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, with a brief stop at Al Jeraisy Castle. We knew it was closed for maintenance, but thought it was worth having a look at the outside.
I’ve been unable to find out much about this castle. The museum next to it was closed. I found a 264-page academic paper online that gives it a rather clinical paragraph.
A lot of paintwork is being done
It says, more or less, that it was built by Ali Al Jeraisy, the Prince of Raghbah. The total area of the castle is 5116 square metres. The four walls measure in length from 49 to 68 metres. They are 3 metres thick at the base and gradually narrow to 1 metre at the top. There’s a 16.5-metre tower in every corner, with ‘observation holes for monitoring enemy movements.’
Vit peers in through the cracks. The hatch with the X opened
But here’s the surprise. We walked around to the front of the castle where there is a gate. We dutifully took pics, but Vit approached and peered through the cracks. He said he could see people inside, and suddenly a hatch opened.
The foreman invited us to look in through the hatch and take a quick pic. We started taking turns and when I popped my head in, I saw him on the phone and heard him asking permission to let us in through the gate.
What we could see through the hatch at Al Jeraisy Castle
He obviously got the okay, because part of the gate soon opened. We were allowed to step in about 5 metres and see the amazing restoration work being carried out.
This will be a real showpiece when it’s completed, but we feel especially lucky to see the work in progress.
Our first look at the towers of Al Jeraisy Castle
Where to next? 
So awesome that you are visiting Saudi Arabia. Love these off the beaten path journeys.
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We think it’s the best way to travel. We have almost a month in Saudi.
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How wonderful
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We thought so too.
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What a serendipitous event. What I love most of all about travel is the welcoming kindness of people. I loved entering the Arabian Castle with you.
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People have been so kind and so welcoming everywhere we have been.
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How nice and hospitable to let you inside.
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We have had wonderful hospitality everywhere we have been.
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That’s so nice to be allowed in! What a magnificent place!
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I wish I could see it completed. Maybe? Who knows?
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Wow – fantastic that you were able to go inside! Those are the things that make travel so wonderful.
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I love the unexpected bonuses.
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Am just wondering . . . is it just being ‘renovated’ or done so with the purpose of a hotel or similar? Seems rather ‘modern-day ‘practical’ ???
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It’s sort of off the beaten track and not large enough to cater for guests. I’m guessing the community hopes to draw some tourists.
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What period is the castle from?
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I wish I could find that detail somewhere.
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12th Century, Peggy, I found this online.
“We leave Riyadh today and will visit Jeraisy Castle, built in the 12th century, on the way. The visit here is short as we can only visit the courtyard of the Jeraisy Castle. The spaces inside are just now being renovated.”
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You’re a great detective. Thanks.
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That was lucky indeed. The restoration work is impressive.
Best wishes, Pete.
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They’re doing a great job.
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Nice Story!
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And a lucky experience.
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Great to have an obliging person let you in!
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He was so kind, but we have encountered kindnesses everywhere on this trip.
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Amazing what you stumbled across…. And how fun to see how the local experience is so inviting
Sent from my iPhone
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So amazing that they let us in.
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What a treat, Peggy. It does look impressive.
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I’d love to see it finished and learn more about its history.
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You’ll just have to go back, Peggy. 🙂
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Lucky experiences are what make independent and semi-independent travel so rewarding!
Tony
https://www.breadtagsagas.com/
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It really is the icing on the ‘castle’.
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