Prince Thunayyan Palace Illuminates Knowledge And Learning Through Immersive Experience

Prince Thunayyan bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Miqrin Palace in At-Turaif District is a key site within Hal Al-Qusoor, one of the programs of Diriyah Season 25/26. The palace offers visitors cultural and historical experiences that explore knowledge, leadership, and heritage in the First Saudi State, using technology and art to present the life and legacy of Prince Thunayyan bin Saud.

Through a sequence of themed rooms, the palace experience follows Prince Thunayyan bin Saud’s journey from early life to later years. Visitors move through visual and sound installations that explain a childhood shaped by learning, a deep commitment to scholarship, the period of giving counsel, the loss of sight, and the survival of the palace structure after the prince’s death.

Light, shadow, and audio effects combine to create a calm atmosphere that supports reflection on knowledge and history. The show begins with Quranic recitation, then shifts to sounds linked with learning, such as turning book pages and distant conversations in traditional gatherings. The experience closes with cannon fire and sound design that underlines the continuing strength of Prince Thunayyan bin Saud Palace.

Projection-mapping technology is central to the exhibition. In the first three rooms, still images in a shadow style depict the prince’s upbringing and values, highlighting education, wise advice, and his role in counsel. A fourth room displays an installation work that focuses on the period when Prince Thunayyan bin Saud lost sight, while a fifth room shows an artwork symbolising the endurance of the palace over time.

The palace narrative emphasises the value of knowledge in the First Saudi State. Prince Thunayyan bin Saud was known for sound judgment and wide learning. The loss of eyesight did not end study or teaching. Prince Thunayyan bin Saud owned an extensive library, supported scholars and students, and stayed engaged with several fields of knowledge, leaving an intellectual legacy that continued after death.

Historically, the building served as the residence of Prince Thunayyan bin Saud, who was born in Diriyah near the end of the 17th century AD. Prince Thunayyan bin Saud witnessed the founding of the Saudi State by brother Imam Mohammad bin Saud in 1727 and provided advice and counsel at that critical stage. The exhibition presents these events as turning points in the story of both the palace and Diriyah.

Architecture and setting of Prince Thunayyan bin Saud Palace

Prince Thunayyan bin Saud Palace was constructed in the mid-18th century AD, overlooking Shuaib Hubaiker from a strategic position in the southwestern area of At-Turaif District. The building follows traditional Najdi architectural style, combining comfort for residents with defensive features. It is regarded as one of the largest and most important palaces in At-Turaif, reflecting the strength and scale of its construction.

A large part of the palace, especially on the southern side facing the valley, is built from stone. The structure has two floors and a wide inner courtyard that functions as an open living space. There are two main entrances and one secondary entrance towards the valley, which allows movement from different directions. Builders used mudbricks, mud, stone, and Tamarisk wood, supported by load-bearing walls.

Diriyah Season 25/26 positions Diriyah as the birthplace of the Saudi State and as a constant centre for cultural interaction. Programs such as Hal Al-Qusoor at Prince Thunayyan bin Saud Palace present authentic Saudi values through modern methods, in line with the goals of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and the cultural and tourism aims of Saudi Vision 2030 that focus on sustainable development.

By combining historical content, artistic installations, and sound design, Prince Thunayyan bin Saud Palace offers visitors a detailed view of the prince’s life and the wider story of Diriyah. The experience underlines the palace’s role as a place of knowledge, its architectural significance in At-Turaif District, and its link to the early Saudi State, while supporting Diriyah Season 25/26 as a cultural platform.

With inputs from SPA