Hall of Manuscripts

Devotees of rare and valuable manuscripts should make a special note to visit the King Faisal Islamic Research and Study Centre, which was founded in 1983.

In environmentally controlled manuscript galleries visitors can enjoy the beauty of ancient, illuminated texts, including rare handwritten copies of the Qur’an and a collection of calligraphy throughout the Islamic eras. There is an exhibition of golden illuminations on manuscripts and also a section on jurisprudence and a collection of writing implements.

Men can visit the manuscripts Hall on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 12 noon and from 5pm to 9pm. Women can visit at these times on Mondays.
Phone 01 465 2255 for more information

The Islamic Research Centre is immediately behind the Faisal Foundation Building, just to the south of the Faisaliah Tower.

24 41.47’ N; 46 41.03’

Faisaliah Tower

Straddling the corridor between King Fahd Highway and Olaya Street lie two of Riyadh’s most famous landmark towers, representing the absolute pinnacle of architectural design.

First to completion in May 2000 was Al Faisaliah Centre, designed by Sir Norman Foster and Partners on behalf of HRH Prince Bandar bin Sa’ud bin Khaled. The tower was Riyadh’s very first skyscraper, reaching a height of 269 metres (881 ft) – just taller than the UK’s Canary Wharf. Owned by the King Faisal Foundation, profits from the site are used to underwrite philanthropic activities throughout the world.

Al Faisaliah, which has a square base which tapers to a lantern at the summit, boasts a 5-star 224-bedroom hotel, 100 apartments and 30 floors of office space, whilst at the top of the tower is a huge golden geodesic sphere called The Globe.

From this gallery on a clear day you can get the most fantastic views of the capital and beyond.

The first three levels boast one of Riyadh’s most popular shopping arcades with 180 stores – including Harvey Nicholls and a selection of 25 fast food outlets on level three. Beneath the ground level plaza is an enormous underground room with the world’s largest single support column-free concrete arch ceiling. This room is used for the hosting of prestigious wedding parties.

The building itself is clad in anodised aluminium panels with large cantilevered sun shading devices that minimise glare and allow the use of non-reflective, energy efficient glass. And inside, there is a 79-foot wide by 265-foot high stained glass window by British artist Brian Clarke which is the largest stained glass work ever produced.

It’s almost impossible not to be able to find Al Faisaliah. You can reach it by driving south down Olaya Street or northbound up King Fahd Highway.


Al Faisaliah shopping entrance: 24 41.3’ N , 46 41.1’ E

Look Down On Riyadh

To get an impression of the vastness of the Saudi capital, you can’t do better than simply look out of the window of your aeroplane as you start your descent to the airport.

But those without window seats, or who arrive in Riyadh over land, can also get a good bird’s eye view of this city by going to the top of the Kingdom Centre or the Faisaliah Tower.

The latter is topped out by a huge golden geodesic sphere called The Globe, in which there is a three-storey restaurant which caters for up to 88 diners. Combined with The Globe is a 360 degree public observation gallery known as The Experience with a sky-shopping mall set beneath.

If you are eating in the restaurant, you can get onto the observation gallery free of charge; otherwise you will have to pay for the privilege. But be aware there is a hefty cover charge, which is there to discourage visitors simply going up for a cup of coffee - which is what many used to do to experience the Globe.

The Kingdom Centre also has a restaurant complex near its summit and if you intend to visit the viewing gallery in the Sky Bridge, you will have to change into a second lift on this floor

Tickets for the Sky Bridge – SR25, SR10 for children – are available from the first floor of the shopping complex. If, however, you go for coffee in the restaurant below the Sky Bridge, you can enter free of charge.  Note, however, that because of its construction, your views are mainly limited to a north-south direction!

For either tower you should make sure you go on a really clear day – ideally after it has rained in the winter months – for whenever there is sand in the air the views tend to be somewhat obscured since you are so high up.