Riyadh:The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, located in the Qasr Al-Hukm district of central Riyadh, is an enduring symbol of Saudi Arabia's rich historical and cultural identity.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the mosque was originally established during the reign of Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud between 1826 and 1834. Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Al-Sheikh was appointed to oversee religious scholars and lead its educational activities. The mosque underwent significant expansion in 1259 AH by Imam Faisal bin Turki, who enhanced it with unique decorative styles, water facilities, and an elevated walkway connecting it to Qasr Al-Hukm.
Further expansions occurred under the reigns of King Abdulaziz, King Saud, King Faisal, and King Khalid. The mosque transitioned from traditional construction materials like sun-dried mud bricks and palm-trunk timber to more durable modern materials. As part of the Qasr Al-Hukm District Development Project, overseen by the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, the mosque was redeveloped using precast concrete units clad in local Riyadh stone, with white marble used for the lower walls, interior columns, and ceilings designed to evoke traditional timber beams.
Documented by English explorer William Gifford Palgrave in 1862, the mosque was later honored with the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. It is seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric, connecting to Qasr Al-Hukm via Al-Safat Square.
The mosque complex spans approximately 16,800 square meters and can accommodate up to 17,000 worshippers. It includes men's and women's prayer halls covering 6,320 square meters with a ceiling height of 14.8 meters. Additionally, the complex features a 4,800-square-meter outdoor courtyard, twin libraries, administrative offices, residences for the imam and muezzin, and two 50-meter-high minarets designed in traditional Najdi proportions.