The National Museum of Saudi Arabia situated on King Faisal Road in the al-Murabba district and part of the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, the museum officially opened on 23 January 1999 to mark the centennial of Saudi Arabia’s founding.
Designed by Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, the museum draws inspiration from the red desert sands and Najdi architectural motifs, featuring sweeping limestone walls that evoke both Riyadh’s landscape and its spiritual direction toward Mecca.
Museum Layout & Exhibitions
Divided into eight permanent halls, the museum presents a chronological narrative of Saudi and Arabian history:
1. Man and the Universe – Prehistoric life, fossils, meteorites.
2. Arabian Kingdoms – Artifacts from pre-Islamic civilizations like Dilmun and Thamud.
3. Pre-Islamic Era – Cultural practices and script evolution before Islam.
4. Prophet’s Mission – Life of Prophet Muhammad; includes manuscripts and family lineage displays.
5. Islam and the Arabian Peninsula – Islamic history through the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
6. First & Second Saudi States – Models of Diriyah and insights into early Saudi governance.
7. Unification of the Kingdom – King Abdulaziz’s role in forming modern Saudi Arabia.
8. Hajj & Two Holy Mosques – Models and explanations of religious importance in Mecca and Medina.
Exhibits include life-sized skeletons, dioramas, meteorite fragments, a Nabatean tomb reconstruction, Islamic manuscripts, and multimedia installations such as touchscreens and films.
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia houses approximately 4,413 archaeological and historical artifacts in its collection, displayed across around 221 display cabinets.
The main building of the National Museum of Saudi Arabia covers about 37,080 m². Meanwhile, external estimates suggest a total site or footprint area closer to 17,000 m², with some sources citing about 28,000 m²—likely reflecting slightly different definitions (such as including auxiliary spaces or outdoor areas).