Where to shop for Antique ethno Weapons in Riyadh

[bhushan_lawate]

Hi All,

I'm in Riyadh on business and will have a weekend to spare for sightseeing and possibly some ethno weapons shopping.

I learnt that Al-Zall market is the go to place but none of the taxi folks were able to guide me yesterday on landing. Can one of our fellow forumites kindly help?

Also, I'm looking at visiting museums and palaces if any.

If i do get lucky an pick up a weapon or two can I carry it back to India? Is there any restriction in carrying things out of Saudi?

Any information will be great. I'm hear in Riyadh till the coming Sunday and will be travelling solo in and around the city post business hours and weekends.

Kind Regards,
Bhushan

[S.Al-Anizi]

Hello

You can tell them Thomairy street, Deera market, try to go between 'Asr and Sunset prayers, then you will find Naser Al Sufayyan the sword trader.

Hope that will help

[kronckew]

the Masmak fortress near there is worth a visit. captured by the al sauds early 20th C., the spear tip in the main gate was thrown as they assaulted the sally door to capture the fort.

[bhushan_lawate]

Thank you for the responses. I'm hoping to get lucky this week end...!!!

I did visit the Musmak fortress last Saturday but was unable to get the right directions to the market place as i kept asking for "Al-Zall Souk" and nobody seemed to know about it.

I'll try with the "Dirah Market" and hopefully will get lucky. will keep the time in mind as i noticed almost everything shuts down during prayer time.

is there a land mark or name that i need to use or "Dirah Marke" will work?

I'm staying near the "Oleyah street"

Thanks,
Bhushan

[S.Al-Anizi]

The Zal Souk is within walking distance from the Masmak Fort. Try Google maps.

[kronckew]

if you visited masmak fort, the souq al-zal is a short walk away.


if it were a snake, it would have bit you

p.s. - zal means 'rug' so this is also the 'rug' souq. open air flea market/car boot sale area nearby on fridays/sat. after afternoon prayers. apparently they sell antique and new swords and daggers in some of the souk shops, along with everything else, as always caveat emptor and haggle. i'd pass on the shiney gold glitzy tourist model swords tho.

[bhushan_lawate]

Thank you all. I did manage to go earlier today but most shops were closed or were too pricy. I'll try my luck again on Friday. I also found Naser Al Sufayyans shop but it was unfortunately closed and I learnt that he does not come to the shop too often and has only very pricy things. Not sure if that is true.

Any additional inputs are helpful. I saw a lot of pistol hilt Shamsir type of swords but none of the folks quoted less than 2000 Saudi riyals. Hopefully I'll see more in the coming days and some good bargain.

Regards,
Bhushan

[S.Al-Anizi]

Bhushan,

Pics or it did not happen