Shaqra Governorate

Shaqra Governorate is a governorate of Riyadh Region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, about 200 km from the city of Riyadh.[1] Al-Subaie Palace stands in the south-western part of its old town, and is one of the historic and heritage landmarks of the governorate.[1]

The governorate's landmarks range from a palace built at the beginning of the twentieth century and later rebuilt and restored, to agriculture linked to its name through pepper, and service and development projects inaugurated in recent years.[1][2][5]

Shaqra Governorate lies in Riyadh Region, about 200 km from Riyadh City, and forms a stop on the historic route linking Riyadh with the Hejaz.[1]

Adel bin Abdullah Al-Buwardi serves as governor of Shaqra, and a number of administrative centres within Riyadh Region fall under the governorate and are covered by the follow-up and inspection visits carried out by the region's emirate.[2][3]

Al-Subaie Palace was built in 1327 AH, corresponding to 1909 CE, by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Subaie, in the south-western part of the old town of the governorate.[1]

King Abdulaziz took it as his residence during his journeys between Riyadh and the Hejaz, as the seat of the public treasury in the Wushm and Sir areas, as a base for preparing armies, and as one of the command posts in some of the unification battles.[1] The palace also served as a council where the notables and opinion leaders of the area met, and it holds a collection of historic artefacts.[1]

The palace consists of two floors comprising 32 rooms and a number of reception halls, with an open courtyard at its centre ringed by corridors on the ground and first floors.[1] Its walls were built of mud brick following the traditional building methods of the Najd region, which are documented under Najdi architecture.[1]

The palace was rebuilt in 1354 AH, corresponding to 1936 CE, by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Subaie, in a project that took four years, and it then underwent two restorations, the first in 1411 AH and the second in 1421 AH, under the supervision of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage (now the Ministry of Tourism).[1] Among the governorate's projects for 2024 CE, the restoration and rehabilitation of the historic Al-Subaie Palace was inaugurated, alongside the Engineer Mohammed Al-Buwardi Theatre and the La Bousquie Hotel.[2]

Service and development projects were inaugurated in the governorate during 2024 CE, among them the establishment and equipping of the kidney dialysis centre at the governorate's hospital, King Salman Park in Al-Qasab, the Al-Majmaah–Shaqra road linking the governorate with Al-Majmaah Governorate, and the medical training warehouse in the governorate.[2]

These projects were inaugurated during an inspection visit that His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Riyadh Region, made to the governorate on 23 Shawwal 1445 AH, corresponding to 2 May 2024 CE, when he reviewed the progress of work in the governorate and its affiliated centres.[3]

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of Riyadh Region, patronised the celebration of the governorate's people at Al-Wushm Club on 16 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1446 AH, corresponding to 14 May 2025 CE, on the occasion of his inspection tour of the governorate.[4]

Shaqra Governorate is among the best-known pepper-producing areas in the Kingdom, and its name is linked to "Habhar Shaqra", described as the finest and most sought-after type of pepper in the markets.[5] Thanks to the governorate, Riyadh Region leads the Kingdom's regions in pepper production with 65,796 tons annually.[5]

The "Fourth Shaqra Pepper Festival" opened on 28 July 2024 CE, organised by the National Agricultural Services Company in cooperation with the governorate, municipality and environment directorate of Shaqra, and ran for ten days at the municipal hall for celebrations and conferences.[5] The sixth edition of the festival was held in the exhibitions and conferences hall of the Shaqra municipality from 23 July to 1 August 2026 CE, with the Riyadh Region Municipality taking part as a supporting partner.[6]

Shaqra University achieved progress in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2027 CE, moving up to the 801–1000 band globally.[7]

Q: Where is Shaqra Governorate located? A: It lies in Riyadh Region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, about 200 km from the city of Riyadh, and forms a stop on the historic route between Riyadh and the Hejaz.[1]

Q: What are the most prominent historic landmarks of the governorate? A: Al-Subaie Palace, in the south-western part of the old town. It was built in 1327 AH, corresponding to 1909 CE, and King Abdulaziz took it as his residence on his journeys between Riyadh and the Hejaz, as the seat of the public treasury and for preparing armies.[1]

Q: What is the governorate known for agriculturally? A: Pepper production; "Habhar Shaqra" is the finest and most sought-after of its types, and thanks to the governorate Riyadh Region leads the Kingdom's regions in production with 65,796 tons annually.[5]

Q: What are the most prominent service and development projects in the governorate? A: The kidney dialysis centre at the governorate's hospital, King Salman Park in Al-Qasab, the Al-Majmaah–Shaqra road and the medical training warehouse, alongside the restoration and rehabilitation of the historic Al-Subaie Palace.[2]

Q: When was the sixth edition of the Shaqra Pepper Festival held? A: From 23 July to 1 August 2026 CE, in the exhibitions and conferences hall of the Shaqra municipality, with the Riyadh Region Municipality taking part as a supporting partner.[6]