Three palaces in Al-Azizia
The Abu Sarrah palaces stand at the centre of Al-Azizia, one of the Al-Soudah villages of Abha, overlooking green farmland and high mountains. They were built by Lahiq bin Ahmed Abu Sarrah and renovated in 2017 by his grandsons, who opened them to the public.
The three neighbouring buildings cover more than 3,000 m². Two palaces, Wazi' and Aziz, rise six storeys each; the third, Al-Musalla Fort, has three. The palaces hold 32 rooms.
Built for peace and war
The walls are of stone quarried from the Asir mountains with juniper wood, coated outside with qudad and decorated with inscriptions on walls and ceilings. They are thick and tall, made to resist raiders and harsh weather alike: a home in peacetime, a fortress in war.
Each room has its purpose. Al-Mustahi, on the upper floors, receives guests; Al-Sufli is for livestock; Al-Suman is a sealed, insulated store for grain and food. Today an open-air café, a restaurant of traditional food and exhibition spaces keep the palaces busy, and in 2024 they hosted the third Qemam International Festival for Mountain Performance Arts.