Oasis of the Pillars (Arabic: احة أركان) also known as City of Canals (Arabic: مدينة القنوات) and Medina al-Kanuat was once the most exotic and mythical city on Earth. Located in the middle of the Arabian Desert, the city was considered a myth and legend in most parts of Europe and Asia. Few knew of it until Ibn Battuta made it known in most of the civilized world in 1366. It is located 5 km from the city center of Riyadh.