Situated on one of the largest streets in the city, called Shubra Street, Shubra Palace is located in Taif, Saudi Arabia, and was used by royals as their summer residence. The palace was named after another palace that was built in Cairo, Egypt.
The building was originally a two-story house that was built in 1858, but in 1905 it was renovated, and two more floors were added. In 1995, almost 150 years after its creation, the palace was transformed into a heritage museum.
Architecture
Today, the building has four floors that are supported by stone columns and is surrounded by gardens and fencing that features Roman engravings. The design of this white building with its wooden balconies and windows also resembles royal residences found in the Indian subcontinent in the early 20th century.
There are more than a hundred rooms inside the building and several entrances that were built by using imported Italian marble. The windows and balconies are adorned with a carved and criss crossed pattern of wooden strips; the corridors and ceilings showcase Islamic architecture, whereas the palace roof bears characteristics of Roman architecture.
Attractions inside the Palace
From architectural masterpieces to historical landmarks, you will find it all in the Shubra Palace. It houses ancient relics from the early Islamic era, including gemstones, precious jewels, silver and gold coins, seals, iron locks, household utensils, and old weapons such as swords, spears, and shields.
