Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz Public Library serves as an international hub dedicated to preserving cultural identity, highlighting the historical richness of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world. By focusing on the documentation and digitization of rare materials, the library ensures that heritage remains central to modern knowledge, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the library's vast collection includes over 8,000 manuscripts, 32,000 rare books, 78 European editions on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and 113 early translations of the Holy Quran. Among its notable collections are 700 rare maps of the Arabian Peninsula dating back to 1482, over 7,600 coins from various Islamic eras, and 365 unpublished photographs of the two holy mosques.
Beyond its extensive collection, the library is active in research and translations that emphasize cultural themes, including studies on national symbols and historical Hajj routes. It preserves artistic records like David Roberts' paintings from 1832 and maintains a multilingual database of Andalusian sources.
A significant aspect of the library's mission is the documentation of Palestinian heritage, featuring a unique collection of thousands of volumes that cover the historical and social aspects of Palestine.
Through its exhibitions on Arabic calligraphy, rare copies of the Holy Quran, and Islamic coins, the King Abdulaziz Public Library connects ancient heritage with future generations, reinforcing the Kingdom's role in global cultural preservation.