Shalayel Museum to showcase Saudi kings’ falconry heritage at 2026 Falcons and Hunting Exhibition

The Shalayel Museum, participating in the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026, will document the longstanding relationship between Saudi Arabia’s kings and falconry expeditions by displaying a collection of rare historical photographs and artifacts that trace this heritage across generations.

The museum takes visitors on a visual journey beginning with the era of the Kingdom’s founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, featuring a perch used by his falcon and a photograph of him with his companions during a desert trip near Riyadh, as well as an image of his falconers holding their birds in 1938.

The historical timeline continues with exhibits from the reign of King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, including a 1956 photograph of him holding a falcon. Two photographs highlight King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s interest in falconry: one shows him in his majlis with a falcon in front of him, and another from 1972 emphasizes his passion for rare falcons.

Kings’ hunting journeys and falconry across generations

The museum also displays rare images from the hunting trips of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, including a photograph documenting one of his expeditions in Pakistan in 1976. Artifacts and photos of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud are featured, such as an image of him holding a falcon during a hunting trip in northern Saudi Arabia and another from a desert expedition near Riyadh.

One photograph shows King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during his time as a prince, holding his falcon on a hunting trip within the Kingdom. The museum also documents the interest of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in falconry through photographs and a special perch for his falcon, along with informational content about his lifelong connection to the sport.

Broader documentation of falconry and Saudi society

The Shalayel Museum’s exhibits are not limited to Saudi kings; they also include historical photographs of several princes and falconers from various regions, as well as images of the Riyadh falcon market from the 1970s and 1985. This offers visitors a broader perspective on the presence of falconry in Saudi society and how its knowledge and practices have been passed down through generations.

The Shalayel Museum is one of the cultural experiences offered at the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026, organized by the National Center for Falcons under the theme “A Destination for All.” The event will be held from October 1 to 10 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Mulham, north of Riyadh, showcasing images and artifacts that highlight the rich history and enduring legacy of falconry in Saudi memory.