Addoho Neighborhood 'A living Najdi heritage'

One kilometer southwest of the Palace of Government, Addoho Neighborhood is located in the heart of the capital, Riyadh. It is the last old neighborhood to preserve its traditional Najdi architecture. The construction of Addoho goes back more than 200 years. With its strategic location within the Palace of Government area, its narrow alleys and the details of its houses that reflect the way of life of the locals at the time, Addoho Neighborhood tells the story of a desert civilization whose buildings were surrounded by walls and palm trees.
The old neighborhoods in Riyadh were characterized by the style of Najdi architecture, which gained its urban identity from its geographical environment. Addoho Neighborhood is near Wadi Hanifa and agricultural palm oases abound around it. Local materials were commonly used in the construction of houses and buildings. Stones were used in the foundations of buildings and mud was used to build the walls. When visiting the Addoho Neighborhood, it can be seen that some of the neighborhood's walls are round, due to their location at pedestrian intersections. Inscriptions and decorations are the most prominent feature in the old Najdi houses, so the edges of the doors are covered with plaster and decorated with triangles, holes and geometric shapes, which expresses the spatial connection of its inhabitants with their land and civilization.
In the 1950s, the neighborhood was in the center of the city of Riyadh, before the area of urbanization expanded to the north of the city. The neighborhood was called Addoho because it was crowded with people. The neighborhood was divided into private properties and public endowments, including millstone mills and wheat pestles. Wheat is one of the most important crops used in the local cuisine in Riyadh.
The neighborhood was rehabilitated and restored to preserve an ancient heritage that reflects the civilizational shift of the capital, Riyadh. It was officially opened to visitors in March 2023. After restoration, the neighborhood includes a mosque, traditional residential units, a traditional restaurant, as well as various cafes and shops.