The National Museum in Riyadh

Once in a while, we try to focus on broadening our cultural learning of the Kingdom and yesterday, we finally made it to the National Museum. We had previously attempted to find the place…in vain, so when the compound organized a bus, it was our sure way of getting there and back. I expected to visit a museum but was awed more by the park setting around the museum than the museum itself. We found a huge complex of parks, trees, laws, water features and interactive water games for children.

Being a weekend, hundreds of people were there, many spending the afternoon around a blanket/rug and picnicking in the park. Kids had brought their trikes and bikes and were having a blast while their abaya clad mothers, nannies and older sisters were sitting, watching over their brood and sipping on their tea.

The National Museum of Riyadh’s goal is to showcase the country's educational and cultural development and giving an insight into the history of the Kingdom. The Exhibits are centered around themes- Man and Universe, The Arabian Kingdoms, The Pre-Islamic Era, Prophet Mohammad's Mission, Islam and the Arab Peninsula, The First and Second Saudi State, The Unification of the Kingdom, The Hajj and Two Holy Mosques. We spent about one hour in the museum and felt like we were the only ones there. While the park was busy with people and occupations, very few entered the museum and browsed its galleries. We were able to see all the displays, alone, just like a VIP visit. I personally marveled in front of the various samples of Arabic writing throughout the ages. Alex loved pushing all the buttons on interactive map displays and Worth liked the rocks and minerals displays founf in Saudi. Unfortunately, it never was indicated whether displays were original or reproduction nor were they dated. The signage was bilingual Arabic and English which helps tremendously with the visit, but movies presented were only in Arabic.

A lot of the historical exhibits were linked with the Koran, having timelines representing historical facts at the times of Prophet Mohammed, Jesus, Abraham and Moses. Islam and its spread are so intertwined with the story of the Arabian Peninsula that it sometimes is impossible to explain history without talking religion.

All in all, I recommend a visit of the National Museum but I also suggest that you come early, bring your picnic and enjoy the park. In the warmer month, kids could even probably wear swimsuit and thoroughly enjoy all the water games.