This beautiful gate is the only thing standing between me and the palace inside. The walls are so tall and surround such a large piece of property that no sign of the palace is visible from the outside. Above the center of the gate is the official Saudi government emblem, which exhibits two crossed swords and a palm tree. Topping the emblem is a beautiful crown in a gold colored metal, which indicates some type of royalty. The royal family of Saudi Arabia has been in control of parts of this country for centuries, but the nation of Saudi Arabia wasn’t established until 1932. Estimates as to the size of the royal family range anywhere from 7,000 to 25,000, and most of the power and wealth lies in the hands of about 200 of its highest ranking members, all descendants of Saudi Arabia’s first king, Abdul Aziz.
I’d love to have a glimpse inside those palace gates one of these days. Until then, I’ll just have to use my imagination!
About This Blog, and About Me: Susie of Arabia
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is KSA's 2nd largest city and is located on its west coast, right on the Red Sea. I moved here in 2007 with my Saudi hubby and teenage son. This journal reflects the things that I see here, life through my eyes, my lens.
Please be sure to also visit my other blog, SUSIE'S BIG ADVENTURE, which relates my experiences, thoughts, and observations about living in Saudi Arabia.
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Here’s a few photos I came up with:
http://www.wheelerfolk.org/military/06palace1/indx.htm
There’s a link to a Part II as well on that page.
Those gates are beautiful! How intriguing though – I wonder what lies within…
Those are elaborate gates. I’m sure no expense is spared inside.
Interesting to hear a little history and stats on the Saudi royals.
Susie: Maybe one day we can look inside with you at this special place.
Oh Susie! To be able to glimpse behind those gates! Such beauty!
Yes, some of the those gates are elegant, indeed, and I always wanted to see beyond them, too. Never got the chance.
Even the gates of ordinary villas can be beautiful; I believe you’ve already featured one of the them here.
The variety of gete design is striking. You could post a gate picture every day of the year and each would be different, lovely in its own right, no?
Magnificent gate and a very interesting family history! Thank you.
A beautiful gate to tease the imagination. With a family that huge maybe your husband already knows royalty.
Another great post Susie.