ad-Dirah
حي الديرة | |
---|---|
Country | Saudi Arabia |
City | Riyadh |
Region | Old Riyadh |
Government | |
• Body | Baladiyah al-Batha |
Language | |
• Official | Arabic |
Al-Dirah (Arabic: الديرة, romanized: al deira, lit. 'the abode'), pronounced as ad-Dirah and alternatively transliterated as Dheera, Deirah,[1] Deerah or Deera, is a neighborhood in southern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located south of al-Futah and west of Margab in the sub-municipality of al-Batʼha.[2] Forming the kernel of the old city region, the northern part makes up the ruins of the extinct settlement of Duhairah meanwhile the remainder consists most of the Qasr al-Hukm District. It lies in the geographic center of the city's downtown neighborhoods, whereby its eastern strip partially forms part of the al-Batʼha commercial area.
Named after Deirah markets,[3] it is today a popular tourist attraction as it hosts several historical and traditional landmarks, such as the Justice Palace (Qasr al-Hukm),[4][5] al-Masmak Fort,[6][7] and Deera Square. The origins of the neighborhood can be traced back to 1737 when Deham bin Dawas al-Shalaan took over Riyadh.