A few weeks back, while the Spring midday temperatures were still reasonably comfortable, I made a sojourn with a few colleagues to the historical Riyadh. Abandoned in 1818 and left to crumble back into the desert, "Diriyah" is now re-emerging. The government has taken on a 10 year project to rebuild and restore it, using original materials and techniques.
The desert architecture, of course, bears strong resemblance to the traditions that developed in other deserts of the world. There are many similarities to the adobe and stone architecture of the American Southwest. But then, of course, there are also the delightful little details that make it unique to this area.
I'll let pictures tell the rest of the story.
If you're interested in seeing the area on Google Earth go to Lat. 24.734, Long. 46.574. Sorry but I don't know how to post a link directly to that location.
The desert architecture, of course, bears strong resemblance to the traditions that developed in other deserts of the world. There are many similarities to the adobe and stone architecture of the American Southwest. But then, of course, there are also the delightful little details that make it unique to this area.
I'll let pictures tell the rest of the story.
If you're interested in seeing the area on Google Earth go to Lat. 24.734, Long. 46.574. Sorry but I don't know how to post a link directly to that location.
