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Decorative style used in mud houses in At-Turaif District

Dir'iyah is a major national symbol in the history of Saudi Arabia. It has been associated with the formation of the First Saudi State, of which it was the capital. It represented a historic turning point in the Arabian Peninsula since 1744 AD, becoming the country’s base and the seat of its government and knowledge. It continued to do so until Imam Turki bin Abdullah chose Riyadh as the new capital city in 1824.
Dir'iyah lies 25 km northwest of Riyadh. Its settlements are spread across the banks of Wadi Hanifah and its tributaries, between Ghasiba in the north and Mulaibid in the south. Surrounded by an ancient wall with mud fortifications and towers, Dir'iyah and its surrounding areas cover an area of approximately 2,020 square kilometers. It is penetrated by Wadi Hanifah and its multiple tributaries, such as Al Khasif, Al Haraiqa, Ghubairah, Al Bulaida, Al Mughaisibi, Qaseer, Safar, Qilaiqil, Qari Imran, and others.
Signs of progress and urban development in Historic Dir'iyah are visible in those districts whose ruins continue to survive to this day, like the At-Turaif District, which is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
 
Outstanding Universal Value
The outstanding universal value of the At-Turaif District comes from its diverse architecture, which ranges from palaces to mosques constructed in traditional architectural styles prevalent in the central Arabian Peninsula at that time, with architectural and decorative elements inspired by Islamic architecture and pre-Islamic Arabic architecture. The district served as the seat of the government of the newly formed country, which was able to unify most parts of the Arabian Peninsula during the peak of its reign. 
Dir'iyah was a trade, religious, and cultural hub during the rule of the First Saudi State. Alongside its political role, it was heavily linked to the reformist movement of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahhab, whose alliance with Imam Mohammed bin Saud was instrumental in the founding of the Saudi State.
At-Turaif District stands out for its unique architecture, which represents the design patterns of central and internal regions. Walls were constructed using stones and adobe, while palm and tree trunks were used in roofs. This style of architecture is abundant in beauty and simplicity in terms of architectural elements or aesthetics. The authenticity of the district was maintained through its preservation, restoration, and retention of the original architectural features of the site without making any modifications to them.


Criteria for Selection
Criterion (iv): The citadel of at-Turaif is representative of a diversified and fortified urban ensemble within an oasis. It comprises many palaces and is an outstanding example of the Najdi architectural and decorative style characteristic of the centre of the Arabian Peninsula.  It bears witness to a building method that is well adapted to its environment, to the use of adobe in major palatial complexes, along with a remarkable sense of geometrical decoration. 
Criterion (v): The site of at-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah illustrates a significant phase in the human settlement of the central Arabian plateau, when in the mid-18th century Ad-Dir'iyah became the capital of an independent Arab State and an important religious centre. At-Turaif District in Ad-Dir'iyah is an outstanding example of traditional human settlement in a desert environment.
Criterion (vi): The At-Turaif District was the first historic centre with a unifying power in the Arabian Peninsula.  Its influence was greatly strengthened by the teachings of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahhab, a great reformer of Sunni Islam who lived, preached and died in the city. After his enduring alliance with the Saudi Dynasty, in the middle of the 18th century, it is from ad-Dir'iyah that the message of Salafiyya spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and the Muslim world.