Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, the world’s largest living museum, celebrates International Museum Day
The Saudi Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) celebrates International Museum Day, celebrated annually on May 18, as part of its continuing efforts to reinforce AlUla’s position as the world’s largest living museum and a global cultural destination preserving a legacy of civilization spanning thousands of years, within a comprehensive development vision focused on heritage conservation and cultural and economic growth.
The occasion underlines the role played by RCU in safeguarding human heritage and preserving historical and natural sites, while strengthening AlUla’s presence on the global cultural map through the development of an integrated ecosystem of archaeological sites and cultural experiences that embody the meeting point of history and innovation.
These efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to develop the cultural sector, diversify the national economy and reinforce the Kingdom’s status as a leading global destination for culture, heritage and tourism.
RCU continues its efforts to develop and preserve historical and archaeological sites in accordance with the highest international standards. At the forefront is Hegra, the first Saudi site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with monumental Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone outcrops that reflect the prosperity of the Nabataean civilization and the historical importance of AlUla along the ancient caravan routes.
RCU is also working to highlight the cultural significance of Dadan, one of the oldest Arab kingdoms in northwestern Arabia, through archaeological conservation programs, scientific research and development projects aimed at deepening understanding of the site’s historical legacy and improving accessibility for both visitors and researchers.
As part of its commitment to safeguarding human heritage, RCU has paid special attention to Jabal Ikmah, recognized as one of UNESCO’s Memory of the World sites for its thousands of ancient inscriptions and writings documenting various aspects of social, religious and economic life in ancient civilizations, making it a living testimony to the depth of AlUla’s cultural heritage.
This cultural impulse is part of RCU’s strategy to offer an exceptional cultural tourism experience, where archaeological monuments are perfectly integrated with development projects, reflecting the convergence of past and present in a continually evolving civilizational landscape.
Through its local and international partnerships, the AlUla Royal Commission continues its efforts to protect and promote human heritage on a global scale, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a leading cultural destination celebrating history, nature and humanity, while presenting a global model for sustainable development based on balancing progress with the preservation of cultural heritage.