Taif's historic Shubra Palace is seeing increased interest from visitors following work by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) to promote the former summer residence of King Abdul Aziz. The palace became a favorite of the King shortly after the beginning of his rule of Saudi Arabia, and two of his sons – Prince Nawaf and Prince Talaal – were born there. Shubra Palace also became the summer meeting place for the Cabinet, and later the head office of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, before it was turned into a cultural center containing a museum, library and galleries displaying traditional handicrafts and games. Today the museum has three main halls, covering the pre-Islamic era, the Islamic age, and the history of Saudi Arabia, all replete with artifacts such as pottery and stone carvings. The SCTA has also opened an information center at the palace providing visitors with further insight into the history and heritage of the region and to acquaint them with other museums and sites of interest in Taif.
