The Shalail Museum, taking part in the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026, is showcasing rare historical photographs and artefacts documenting the connection between Saudi Arabia’s kings, falcons and hunting trips across generations.
The museum takes visitors on a visual and historical journey beginning with the era of the Kingdom’s founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Exhibits include a perch used by one of his falcons, a photograph of the King with his companions during a desert trip at his camp near Riyadh, and an image of his falconers carrying their birds in 1938.
The collection continues into the era of King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud through a photograph from 1956 showing him holding a falcon.
Two photographs document King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s interest in falcons. One shows the King in his council with a falcon in front of him, while another, dating to 1972, is accompanied by information about his interest in rare falcons.
From King Khalid to King Salman
The museum also highlights hunting trips by King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud through a photograph documenting a 1976 trip to Pakistan. The collection includes a number of rare photographs, some of which are being displayed publicly for the first time.
Artefacts and photographs documenting King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s connection with falcons are also on display. These include an image of him holding a falcon during a hunting trip in northern Saudi Arabia and another from a hunting trip near Riyadh.
One photograph shows King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during his time as governor, holding his falcon during a hunting trip inside the Kingdom.
The museum also documents the interest of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in falcons through several photographs and a dedicated perch for one of his falcons. The exhibits include information about his connection with hunting and falconry from an early age.
Falconry Across Saudi Society
The Shalail Museum’s collection extends beyond the Kingdom’s kings. It includes historical photographs of princes and falconers from different regions, as well as images of the Riyadh Falcon Market from the 1970s and 1985.
These exhibits provide a wider view of the role of falconry in Saudi society and how its knowledge and practices have been passed down through generations.
The Shalail Museum is one of the cultural experiences featured at the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026, organised by the National Center for Falcons under the theme “A Destination for Everyone.”
The exhibition runs from October 1 to 10 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh, offering visitors an opportunity to explore photographs and artefacts documenting the history of falconry in Saudi Arabia and its enduring place in the Kingdom’s cultural memory.
