King Fahad National Library: An Architectural Masterpiece Worth Visiting

Your trip to Saudi Arabia is incomplete without visiting the King Fahad National Library, which is a famous cultural attraction in the country. This library became operational from 2013, but constructing it was one of the most daunting tasks because the building had to incorporate urban developments while keeping in mind the Arabian culture. The architects were successful in doing so; therefore, you can behold the magnificent structure on your next trip to Riyadh. There’s a lot to this library than meets the eye, so let’s uncover those hidden layers as we move forward.

History of King Fahad Library: A Tale Unfolding the Past

Let’s start at the beginning of this library’s history. The idea of constructing this library began when the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wanted to express their love and loyalty to King Fahad. Therefore, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques ordered the construction of this building, which was built with an intention of being King Fahad public library initially, turned into a national library eventually.

This library was continuously updated over the years and the result of that is in front of you presently. This new cuboid building surrounds the existing building to retain the core of the old building. So, the appearance is entirely new and innovative, while the interior includes the old building, turning it into a center of knowledge.

As you enter the building, you’ll be in awe of its beauty and magnificence. The traditional Middle Eastern architectural design paired with the filigree textile façade is what dreams are made of. This library is the perfect example of a harmonious blend between tradition and modernity as you’ll come across state-of-the-art technology used here. Therefore, this is one of the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia during your vacation.

Here’s everything you need to know about the King Fahad National Library.

Address: 6757 King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12211, Saudi Arabia

Timings: 8 A.M to 8 P.M, closed on Friday and Saturday

King Fahad National Library entry fee: Free of cost

Services Offered by King Fahad National Library Riyadh

This library is for people from all walks of life. From students, researchers, and readers to those who simply wish to explore this tourist attraction, everyone’s welcome here. The highlight is the abundance of books here, which will make any bookworm swoon. Therefore, visiting this attraction is one of the famous things to do in Riyadh.

There are approximately two and a half million sources, including books, manuscripts, letters, audio visual tapes, and much more. You’ll find any and every answer right here; therefore, this library witnesses an influx of 100 thousand people in a year. Apart from this, there are several services that the King Fahad library offers its visitors:

• Systemic deposit service, which allows the visitors to submit their university papers for researchers to use.
• Saudi unified index, which holds all the Saudi data sources in a single place for easy access.
• Masdar is a service that allows national intellectual production digitally.

There are many more such services that the national library in Saudi Arabia provides the visitors.

Also Read: Places To Visit In Riyadh: Top Attractions People Can Visit For An Astonishing Vacation

Features of King Fahad National Library

Let’s look at some of the best features of this library that would charm you into making a trip to Saudi Arabia.

• Relaxing and tranquil reading areas
• Vending machines for snacks and beverages
• Coffee shop for a quick bite on the third floor
• Auditorium that can hold 400 people
• Provides reference studies and consultation services to government bodies
• Around 20 food stands in the library’s park
• Live music

Attractions Near King Fahad Library Saudi Arabia

Here’s a list of the top tourist places to visit in Saudi Arabia that are around this library, so you can explore those as well during your trip.

1. King Abdullah Financial District
2. Edge of the World
3. Al Murabba Palace
4. Wadi Namar
5. The Boulevard

Suggested Read: Shopping in Riyadh: Relish Your Moment with a Great Shopping Experience

Restaurants Near King Fahad National Library

It’s obvious that when you’re exploring such a vast library, you’ll get hungry. Therefore, here are some of the popular restaurants in Saudi Arabia that you’ll find near this library.

1. Porterhouse
2. Azzurro Restaurant
3. Al Orjouan Restaurant
4. City Fresh Kitchen
5. Roma Restaurant

How to Reach King Fahad Library?

King Fahad National Library is approximately 4 km away from Riyadh city center, so it’ll take you around 11 minutes to reach here via cab. If you’re in some other city of Saudi Arabia, then you must first travel to Riyadh, and then take a taxi to the library.

Suggested Read: Museums in Riyadh- Dig Deep Into The Development Of The City

Now that you’re acquainted with one of the most historically and culturally significant attractions in Riyadh, King Fahad National Library, you won’t miss out on it during your vacation. If you’re a reader, then this library is a haven for you, but even if you’re not, then also you’ll be amazed by the beauty and magnanimity of it. So, regardless of your reading preferences, this library is a must-visit for all. That’s where our Riyadh tour packages come in as you can book packages to this city and explore this tourist attraction with your loved ones.

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