Khuzam Palace

On the edge of Al-Mazrouiyah district in western Hofuf stands Qasr Khuzam, a fort built in 1220 AH / 1805 CE by Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, third imam of the First Saudi State, as part of a chain of fortifications protecting Al-Ahsa and watching its western approaches — its name derives from the 'zimam', the rein by which camels are led — a sign of its command over the region. Its rectangular wall, roughly 70 by 80 metres, is guarded by six towers, most of them conical, enclosing an open courtyard, a mosque, a majlis, a well and stables. The fort later served as a seat for managing tribal affairs and settling disputes over water sources. Restored and opened to visitors in 2017, it is today one of the twelve components of the Al-Ahsa Oasis site inscribed by UNESCO in 2018.