Expansions during King Saud’s era
The first Saudi expansion of the Holy Mosque, ordered by King Saud, may he rest in peace, under Royal Decree No. (27/4/2/386) issued on 6 Ṣafar 1375 AH, establishing a Higher Commission to supervise the project. During this expansion, Bāb al‑Malik Saud was constructed and later renamed Bāb al‑Malik Abdulaziz in the reign of King Faisal.
Dhahran Airport under construction, showing the early phases of building the new terminal and surrounding facilities before completion in the late 1950s.
Excavation works for the Saudi expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque in 1955, showing the early digging and foundation preparations around the sacred site.
The final finishing works on the eastern façade of the Holy Mosque, facing the Mas‘a, during the concluding stages of the first Saudi expansion.
The interior view of the central wing façade of the Prophet’s Mosque, showing the architectural detailing and structural design of the middle section during its Saudi-era development.
The arcades of the Prophet’s Mosque in 1954, showing the colonnades and vaulted aisles prior to the major phases of the Saudi expansion.
The Prophet’s Mosque
A view of the Kaaba before its restoration during the reign of King Saud, showing the structure and its exterior condition prior to the renovation works undertaken in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Al‑Ṣafā and al‑Marwah at the beginning of the demolition works, marking the removal of older structures to make way for the new elevated Mas‘a during the first Saudi expansion.
The arcades of the Prophet’s Mosque during the demolition phase, showing the removal of the old colonnades as part of the early works of the Saudi expansion.
One of the architectural façades of the Prophet’s Mosque, showing the exterior elevation and structural detailing from the Saudi-era development phase.
A group of worshippers preparing to enter the Holy Kaaba on the occasion of its ceremonial washing, gathering at the threshold before the ritual begins.
A view of the Ṣafā Dome and the Mas‘a, showing the alignment of the dome with the early structure of the Sa‘i pathway before later phases of redevelopment.
An interior view of the Kaaba’s wall during one of the restoration phases, showing the exposed structural layers and repair work carried out before the final reinforcements were completed.
Crown Prince Mohammed al‑Badr of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen inspecting the construction works of the Prophet’s Mosque, observing the progress of the Saudi expansion project.
The completion of the new works at the Zamzam Well and the beginning of the demolition of the old above‑ground structure, marking the transition to the modern design introduced during the first Saudi expansion.
The Door of the Holy Kaaba in 1956, showing its pre‑restoration form and the detailing of the entrance before the later renovations carried out during the reign of King Saud.
His Majesty King Saud, wearing the ihram garments inside his tent in 1955, during the rites of Hajj and the accompanying official visit.
King Saud laying the foundation stone for the expansion of the Holy Mosque, marking the official commencement of the first Saudi enlargement project of the Sacred Sanctuary.
King Saud inspecting the expansion works of the Holy Mosque in Mecca in 1955, accompanied by Crown Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz and Sheikh Mohammed Saleh Qazzaz, observing the progress of the first Saudi enlargement project.
King Saud inspecting the expansion works of the Holy Mosque in Mecca in 1955, observing the progress of the first Saudi enlargement project during its early construction phase.
His Majesty King Saud during the Hajj of 1955 (1374 AH), participating in the pilgrimage rites amid the early years of the Saudi-era developments in the Holy Sites.
King Saud inspecting the construction works of the Prophet’s Mosque, reviewing the progress of the Saudi expansion and the redevelopment of the mosque’s architectural structures.
Prophet’s Mosque
Workers transporting and positioning stone blocks for use in the construction works of the Prophet’s Mosque, moving the prepared masonry closer to the active building site during the Saudi expansion.
The newly constructed arches of the Prophet’s Mosque, illustrating the emerging structural rhythm and architectural vocabulary introduced during the Saudi expansion phase.
The final architectural form of the Mas‘a, showing the completed structural configuration and spatial alignment of the Sa‘i pathway after its redevelopment into its modern design.
The elegant decorative motifs adorning the interior arcades of the Holy Mosque, displaying the refined geometric and floral patterns that characterize the sanctuary’s traditional architectural ornamentation.
President Shukri al‑Quwatli of Syria inspecting the construction works of the Prophet’s Mosque, observing the progress of the Saudi expansion during his official visit.
The Rawḍah al‑Sharīfah, showing the mihrab and the original columns, preserved in their historic form as they remained prior to the later phases of reconstruction and expansion.
The new wing of the Prophet’s Mosque expansion in 1955, showing the emerging structural elements and architectural layout introduced during the first Saudi enlargement project.
The new wing of the Prophet’s Mosque expansion in 1955, showing the emerging structural elements and architectural layout introduced during the first Saudi enlargement project.
The ceremony marking the completion of the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque, celebrating the conclusion of the Saudi project and the inauguration of its newly constructed architectural elements.
The construction works of the Holy Mosque expansion, showing the active building operations, structural preparations, and material handling during the early phases of the first Saudi enlargement project.
King Saud with Mohammed bin Ladin inspecting the Holy Mosque, Hajj 1955.
King Saud’s charitable water station for pilgrims during Hajj.
In deep reverence, King Saud sat listening to a religious sermon in the Holy Mosque.
The first Saudi expansion of the Holy Mosque during the reign of King Saud, 1956.
Construction of the Sa‘i gallery during the first Saudi expansion of the Holy Mosque under King Saud, 1956.
The Holy Mosque during prayer, with the enclosure of the Station of Prophet Ibrahim still in place before its removal in King Saud’s 1963 expansion.
The first Saudi expansion under King Saud, 1382 AH / 1962.
The Holy Mosque during King Saud’s first expansion in 1378 AH
The first Saudi expansion under King Saud, viewed from the northeast side of the Holy Mosque, 1380 AH.
Early demolition works and equipment at Bāb al‑Salām during the first Saudi expansion under King Saud.
The Holy Mosque near the completion of King Saud’s first expansion, showing the Zamzam Well and the Maqam al‑Shafi‘i.
The Station of Prophet Ibrahim in 1958, before its redesign to the current form during the reign of King Saud.
The first expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque ordered by King Abdulaziz and carried out under King Saud, may God have mercy on them both.
The first expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque ordered by King Abdulaziz and carried out under King Saud, may God have mercy on them both.
A delegation from Egypt—led by General Muhammad Naguib, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and al‑Khatib al‑Husayni—visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.
A delegation from Egypt—led by General Muhammad Naguib, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and al‑Khatib al‑Husayni—visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.
A delegation from Egypt—led by General Muhammad Naguib, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and al‑Khatib al‑Husayni—visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.
An angled view of the Holy Mosque published in 1925 by Ibrahim Rif‘at, later republished by Lady Evelyn Cobbold in her book Pilgrimage to Mecca.
The first Saudi expansion of the Holy Mosque carried out under King Saud.
The foundation‑laying by Crown Prince Saud on the 13th of Rabi‘ al‑Awwal, 1373 AH.
Crown Prince Saud laying the foundation stone for the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque on 13 Rabi‘ al‑Awwal 1373 AH, placing four stones with his own hands at the western wall — as recorded in Qāfilat al‑Zayt, 1376 AH.
A façade from one side of the Prophet’s Mosque.
The Sa‘i after King Saud’s expansion in 1957.
