Urban Heritage in Riyadh as in the Marcello Mocchi’s Journey in 1359 AH/ 1941AD

Abstract

Abstract

 This study descriptively and analytically addressed the information about the urban heritage in Riyadh documented by the Italian Marcello Mocchi in his journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1359 AH/1941 AD, by illustrating the factors affecting the architectural heritage of the city and studying its urban and architectural characteristics, as well as presenting examples of heritage palaces in the city. The study concluded with an emphasis that the urban heritage of Riyadh was a result of humanitarian efforts and an expression of the natural environment, which is considered the main source of building materials used by the inhabitants of the city. It also confirmed ingenuity, superiority, and mastery of local architects in the traditional architecture of the city of Riyadh, which carries the historical, cultural, and economic, and social values ​​spreading in the past, present, and future.

Keywords: Urban heritage, Riyadh, journey, Marcello Mocchi, architectural elements.