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Saudi Arabia: 1,138 Sites Registered in National Register of Architectural Heritage

The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
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Saudi Arabia: 1,138 Sites Registered in National Register of Architectural Heritage

The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
The Saudi Heritage Commission logo

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced on Thursday accrediting the registration and documentation of 1,138 new architectural heritage sites in the National Register of Architectural Heritage.

The number of sites registered in the National Register of Architectural Heritage now stands at 3,646 sites in various regions of the Kingdom, a national heritage that reflects Saudi Arabia’s historical richness.

The new entries included 306 sites in Al-Qassim Region, 224 in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Region, 179 in Hail Region, 155 in Asir Region, 127 in Makkah Region, 106 in Riyadh Region, 35 in Najran Region and 6 in Eastern Region.

The commission stressed that its efforts to register architectural sites are ongoing and cover all regions of the Kingdom, noting that the registration is based on the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage issued by the Royal Decree on Muharram 9, 1436 Hijri, and by the decision of the board of directors of the commission, which authorizes the CEO of the commission to approve the registration of archaeological and heritage sites in the National Register of Architectural Heritage.

Registering new sites also comes as part of the commission's efforts to identify cultural sites in the Kingdom, officially register them, and then add them to digital maps that enable their easy management, protection and preservation, build a database of registered heritage sites, document the work such sites undergo, and archive documents and photographs of the Kingdom's heritage sites.

The commission called on citizens and interested people to report urban heritage sites and buildings for registration through the urban heritage service reporting platform, the commission's official account on X, and the branches of the commission across the Kingdom, commending citizen's awareness and role as an essential partner in the preservation and development of the national heritage.

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Culture

Louvre Museum Installs Security Bars on Balcony Used in October’s Heist

Workers install metal security bars over the window where thieves broke into the Louvre museum on Oct.19, Tuesday Dec.23, 2025 in Paris. (AP)
Workers install metal security bars over the window where thieves broke into the Louvre museum on Oct.19, Tuesday Dec.23, 2025 in Paris. (AP)
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Louvre Museum Installs Security Bars on Balcony Used in October’s Heist

Workers install metal security bars over the window where thieves broke into the Louvre museum on Oct.19, Tuesday Dec.23, 2025 in Paris. (AP)
Workers install metal security bars over the window where thieves broke into the Louvre museum on Oct.19, Tuesday Dec.23, 2025 in Paris. (AP)

France's Louvre museum on Tuesday installed security bars on the balcony that burglars used to break in and steal some of the crown jewels.

Four people broke into the world's most visited museum on October 19 and escaped with jewels worth an estimated $102 million, exposing glaring security gaps and revealing its deteriorating state.

They parked a movers' lift outside the museum, jumped on the balcony of the Apollo gallery, smashed a window, cracked open display cases ‌with angle grinders ‌and fled on the ‌back ⁠of scooters driven by ‌accomplices in a heist lasting less than 7 minutes.

On Tuesday, a crane lifted the security grille into place to seal the glass door leading to the balcony.

"The Louvre is learning all the lessons from the theft of October 19 and is continuing its transformation ⁠and the strengthening of its security architecture," the museum said in a ‌post on X.

It also said a ‍mobile police squad was ‍now present at the roundabout in front of ‍the iconic glass pyramid, and 100 more cameras would be deployed around the museum next year.

Police have identified eight suspects in connection with the heist, though the jewels are still missing.

The break-in raised awkward questions about security at the Louvre, which is home to ⁠priceless artworks such as the Mona Lisa.

Louvre officials have admitted there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum and no coverage of the balcony involved in the break-in.

The heist was one of several woes to hit the museum in recent weeks: another gallery, adjacent to the Apollo, was closed because of structural weakness, a water leak damaged books at the Egyptian antiquities department and the museum ‌was partly closed for several days after its staff went on strike.

Culture

Najran: Saudi Arabia’s Southern Tourist and Cultural Gem

Najran is an exceptional tourist destination, where stunning landscapes meet a rich historical heritage. (SPA)
Najran is an exceptional tourist destination, where stunning landscapes meet a rich historical heritage. (SPA)
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Najran: Saudi Arabia’s Southern Tourist and Cultural Gem

Najran is an exceptional tourist destination, where stunning landscapes meet a rich historical heritage. (SPA)
Najran is an exceptional tourist destination, where stunning landscapes meet a rich historical heritage. (SPA)

Najran is an exceptional tourist destination, where stunning landscapes meet a rich historical heritage. Visitors can experience towering mountains, vast plains, and enchanting deserts that leave a lasting impression.

The region has undergone significant development to enhance its urban landscape and quality of life. Approximately 25 projects, valued at over SAR711 million, have been completed or are underway, including stormwater drainage improvements and upgraded infrastructure, said the Saudi Press Agency.

These initiatives are part of a broader plan to strengthen road networks and improve the city’s readiness to meet environmental and service challenges, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Najran is home to numerous archaeological sites that reflect its storied past. The historic city of Al-Ukhdood, dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD, serves today as a living, open-air museum attracting visitors from across the Kingdom and abroad.

The Hima Cultural Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features over 5,500 rock carvings spanning different historical periods, offering valuable insights into the wildlife and culture of the Arabian Peninsula.

Najran also stands out as one of Saudi Arabia’s most important agricultural areas, with its unique climate allowing year-round cultivation of high-quality fruits and vegetables across more than 5,000 farms covering 27,000 hectares.

Its strategic location, natural resources, and advanced infrastructure make it a prime investment destination in southern Saudi Arabia. The region hosts around 90 factories and is rich in mineral resources, including gold, copper, iron, and copper-zinc reserves spanning over 70 square kilometers.

Foreign tourists have praised Najran for its seamless blend of history and natural beauty, noting that every corner tells the story of this ancient land and reflects a rich cultural heritage, making it a destination truly worth exploring.

Culture

Holy Quran Museum in Makkah Preserves, Showcases Rare Manuscripts

The Museum of the Holy Quran is located in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah - File Photo/ SPA
The Museum of the Holy Quran is located in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah - File Photo/ SPA
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Holy Quran Museum in Makkah Preserves, Showcases Rare Manuscripts

The Museum of the Holy Quran is located in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah - File Photo/ SPA
The Museum of the Holy Quran is located in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah - File Photo/ SPA

The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah continues to play a leading role in preserving and exhibiting rare copies of the Holy Quran, standing as a cultural landmark that reflects the revered status of the Quran in the conscience of the Islamic nation and documents the care devoted to it across different historical eras, SPA reported.

Through its collections, the museum highlights the value of Quranic endowments, which formed one of the most significant features of Islamic civilization and contributed to safeguarding Quran manuscripts, disseminating them, facilitating their recitation, and supporting their service in mosques and centers of learning.

The museum houses one endowed copy of the Holy Quran printed in 30 pages, endowed by Prince Abdulaziz bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz.

This initiative reflects a deep connection to the Holy Quran and embodies the continuity of the charitable endowment tradition dedicated to serving and caring for the Holy Quran.

The display of this manuscript aligns with the museum’s mission to introduce visitors to the history of the Holy Quran, highlight the efforts of individuals and institutions to preserve and serve it, and raise awareness of the cultural and humanitarian significance of Quranic endowments.

The museum offers a comprehensive cultural and knowledge-based experience that connects visitors to the history and stature of the Holy Quran, starting from Makkah, the birthplace of revelation and the direction of prayer for Muslims.