Al Abtal Gate

Al-Abtal Gate
بوابة الأبطال
Al-Abtal Gate monument, 2023, on the side of Nemar suburb
Map
24°31′33″N 46°26′15″E / 24.52583°N 46.43750°E / 24.52583; 46.43750
LocationHighway 40, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Beginning date2001
Opening date21 April 2013; 11 years ago (21 April 2013)
Dedicated toAbdulaziz ibn Saud

Al-Abtal Gate (Arabic: بوابة الأبطال, lit. 'Gate of the Heroes'), or Riyadh al-Gharbia Gate (Arabic: بوابة الرياض الغربية, lit. 'Western Gate of Riyadh'), is a pair of symmetrical memorial monuments situated on the either side of Highway 40 (Makkah al-Mukarramah Road) at the Qiddiya civilian checkpoint in southwestern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officially partitioned between King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy from the north and Nemar suburb from the south. Constructed from 2001 to 2013 and modelled mainly after the Masmak Fortress, it commemorates the Battle of Riyadh of 1902 and is a local visitor attraction besides being a stopover for travellers passing through the city’s western exit.

History

Masmak Fort in Riyadh, which the al-Abtal Gate is mainly modeled after

The monument was inaugurated in 2013 during the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz[1] and pays a tribute to King Abdulaziz ibn Saud and his companions in their efforts to recapture the walled town of Riyadh in a battle in 1902. It resembles the cylindrical mudbrick watchtowers of Masmak Fortress and those of the former city fortifications of the old walled town.[2]

The monument showcases a model of King Abdulaziz's sword, cleaving a sizeable rock that symbolizes the hardships endured by the people in the former days, paving the way for prosperity as spring flowed.[3] Behind it stand 13 flags, each representing a province of Saudi Arabia. Surrounding the monument are 64 panels that are inscribed with the names of companions of King Abdulaziz, who assisted him during the battle for the takeover of Riyadh.[4]

Construction for the project began during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, in 2001[5] and was a brainchild of Prince Turki bin Talal al-Saud. The monument was inaugurated by Prince Khalid bin Bandar al-Saud, the Governor of Riyadh Province in April 2013.[6][7]

  • Bronze monument depicting the Sword of King Abdulaziz and the names of his companions, 2023
    Bronze monument depicting the Sword of King Abdulaziz and the names of his companions, 2023
  • Al-Abtal Gate panoramic view on the side of Nemar suburb, 2023
    Al-Abtal Gate panoramic view on the side of Nemar suburb, 2023

References

  1. ^ "أمير الرياض يفتتح المشروع التاريخي.. "بوابة الرياض – المدخل الغربي"". www.alweeam.com.sa. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  2. ^ "الظلام يخفي جماليات بوابة الرياض الغربية.. وعبارات التحذير تحل مكان الترحيب!". 14 October 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  3. ^ "سموه يكرم المساهمين والداعمين للمشروع". www.al-jazirah.com. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  4. ^ "العاصمة تحتضن أكبر معلم حضاري وجمالي يجسد بطولات المؤسس ورجاله". www.alriyadh.com (in Arabic). 5 May 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  5. ^ "أعلن عن قرب ترسية مشروع بوابة الرياض الغربية". www.al-jazirah.com. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  6. ^ "أمير الرياض: "بوابة الأبطال" تذكرنا بدور القائد المؤسس ورجاله في توحيد هذه البلاد". www.alriyadh.com. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  7. ^ "أمير الرياض يفتتح المدخل الغربي لمشروع بوابة الرياض". صحيفة الاقتصادية (in Arabic). 2013-04-21. Retrieved 2023-12-24.