The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) will rehabilitate Qasr Al-Anaqir (Al-Anaqir Palace) in the town of Tharmada in Riyadh province to transform it into a public museum highlighting local culture and heritage.

“SCTA recently signed an agreement with Al-Anagir family, the owners of the palace, to rehabilitate and transform it into a local museum in the town of Tharmada,” a SCTA spokesman said on Sunday.

The agreement was signed by Hussain Abu Al-Hassan, SCTA vice-president for antiquities and museums, and Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al-Angari on behalf of Al-Anaqir family, the official informed.

He added that the agreement comes under SCTA’s efforts for the preservation of urban heritage buildings, regulation of antiquities, museums and heritage landmarks that are spread across the Kingdom, and employ them economically and culturally.

SCTA deeply appreciates the Al-Anaqir family for presenting their personal palace to be restored and developed into a public museum highlighting local culture and heritage. The first phase of restoration on the palace has already been implemented and the second phase, which includes transforming it into a museum and significant landmark in the region, is underway.

The third phase aims to develop the surrounding area, which will be carried out by SCTA’s Urban Heritage Center in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

Notably, the agreement provides that SCTA shall undertake all restoration and reparation works in a way that preserves the identity, heritage and authenticity of the palace and the incurred expenses of the restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance during the term of the agreement, besides recording the palace as an archaeological site in accordance with antiquities regulations.

Located in the old town of Tharmada and surrounded by an old wall, which is called “Al Ogda,” the palace was built in 1723.

The site is surrounded by farms, water wells, mosques, souks, houses with a total area of about 1,800 square meters.