Al Abtal Gate
بوابة الأبطال | |
 Al-Abtal Gate monument, 2023, on the side of Nemar suburb | |
 | |
| 24°31′33″N46°26′15″E/ 24.52583°N 46.43750°E | |
| Location | Highway 40,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Beginning date | 2001 |
| Opening date | 21 April 2013 |
| Dedicated to | Abdulaziz ibn Saud |
Al-Abtal Gate(Arabic:بوابة الأبطال,lit. 'Gate of the Heroes'), orRiyadh al-Gharbia Gate(Arabic:بوابة الرياض الغربية,lit. 'Western Gate of Riyadh'), is a pair of symmetricalmemorial monumentssituated on the either side ofHighway 40(Makkah al-Mukarramah Road) at the Qiddiyacivilian checkpointin southwesternRiyadh,Saudi Arabia,officially partitioned betweenKing Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energyfrom the north and Nemar suburb from the south. Constructed from 2001 to 2013 and modelled mainly after theMasmak Fortress,it commemorates theBattle of Riyadhof 1902 and is a local visitor attraction besides being a stopover for travellers passing through the city’s western exit.
History
[edit]
The monument was inaugurated in 2013 during the reign ofKing Abdullah bin Abdulaziz[1]and pays a tribute toKing Abdulaziz ibn Saudand his companions in their efforts to recapture thewalled town of Riyadhin abattle in 1902.It resembles the cylindrical mudbrick watchtowers ofMasmak Fortressand those of the formercity fortificationsof theold 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 aprovinceofSaudi 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 thetakeover of Riyadh.[4]
Construction for the project began during the reign ofKing Fahd bin Abdulaziz,in 2001[5]and was a brainchild ofPrince Turki bin Talal al-Saud.The monument was inaugurated by PrinceKhalid bin Bandar al-Saud,the Governor of Riyadh Province in April 2013.[6][7]
Gallery
[edit]-
Bronze monument depicting the Sword ofKing Abdulazizand the names of his companions, 2023 -
Al-Abtal Gate panoramic view on the side of Nemar suburb, 2023
References
[edit]- ^"أمير الرياض يفتتح المشروع التاريخي.." بوابة الرياض – المدخل الغربي "".alweeam.sa.21 April 2013.Retrieved24 December2023.
- ^"الظلام يخفي جماليات بوابة الرياض الغربية.. وعبارات التحذير تحل مكان الترحيب!".14 October 2011.Retrieved24 December2023.
- ^"سموه يكرم المساهمين والداعمين للمشروع".al-jazirah.Retrieved2023-12-24.
- ^"العاصمة تحتضن أكبر معلم حضاري وجمالي يجسد بطولات المؤسس ورجاله".alriyadh(in Arabic). 5 May 2013.Retrieved24 December2023.
- ^"أعلن عن قرب ترسية مشروع بوابة الرياض الغربية".al-jazirah.Retrieved2024-04-02.
- ^"أمير الرياض:" بوابة الأبطال "تذكرنا بدور القائد المؤسس ورجاله في توحيد هذه البلاد".alriyadh.21 April 2013.Retrieved24 December2023.
- ^"أمير الرياض يفتتح المدخل الغربي لمشروع بوابة الرياض".صحيفة الاقتصادية(in Arabic). 2013-04-21.Retrieved2023-12-24.