Madinah’s Historic Islamic Landmarks Open to Visitors

The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)
The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)
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Madinah’s Historic Islamic Landmarks Open to Visitors

The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)
The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors. (SPA)

The historic Islamic landmarks of Saudi Arabia’s city of Madinah are now open to visitors.

The locations, castles and fortresses that Muslims had long read about in the history books can now be visited and admired up-close.

Authorities have sought to preserve these locations in the hopes of attracting visitors.

Over a hundred historic Islamic landmarks have been preserved and renovated in the Madinah and Makkah regions to consolidate their religious and cultural standing and offer a unique tourist experience to visitors.

Expert on modern history Dr. Abdulrahman al-Waqisi said: “Every corner and every aspect of Madinah is history and tells a story.”

It covers the history that predates Islam, post-Hijra and aspects of the Prophet Mohammed life, he added.

The city still boasts undiscovered historic sites despite the great efforts carried out by Saudi authorities to unearth them, he remarks.

The regions of Saudi Arabia are still rife with heritage treasures, he stressed.

In Madinah, he highlighted the Atban bin Malik Mosque where the Prophet Mohammed once prayed.

New discoveries were recently made at the mosque, demonstrating the city’s rich history, al-Waqisi said.

He acknowledged that some historic ruins had once been neglected and sometimes destroyed due to some conservative views and various other excuses.

Some important landmarks have indeed been razed to the ground for unjustified reasons, he lamented.

Others, however, have been salvaged thanks to the intervention of the authorities.



Saudi Arabia’s RCU Signs Agreement with National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples joins RCU’s network of cultural partners
The National Archaeological Museum of Naples joins RCU’s network of cultural partners
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Saudi Arabia’s RCU Signs Agreement with National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples joins RCU’s network of cultural partners
The National Archaeological Museum of Naples joins RCU’s network of cultural partners

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a new strategic partnership with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to display a collection of artifacts in Saudi Arabia and AlUla for the first time.

The museum joins RCU’s network of cultural partners, aligning with heritage and educational institutions from the United Kingdom, France, China, and Italy to collaborate on preserving, studying, and celebrating AlUla’s 20,000-year-old heritage.

Established in 1777, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is a prominent landmark in one of Italy’s heritage capitals. It houses some of Europe’s most treasured cultural artifacts, including exceptionally well-preserved Roman and Greek statues, bronze pieces, mosaics, and other artworks.

This agreement between the two sides paves the way for transferring a selection of artifacts from Naples in southern Italy to AlUla northwest of the Arabian Peninsula, showcasing masterpieces from the museum. The exhibition will feature 15 artifacts from historical cities and landmarks like Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Rome. It will be a cultural highlight of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2024, held in AlUla from November 7 to 30. Also, the exhibition will include AlUla’s international archaeology symposium for visitors.

The partnership builds on a governmental agreement between Saudi Arabia and Italy signed in May 2023 to enhance cultural preservation, knowledge sharing, and heritage protection. Last year, a team of heritage narrators from AlUla visited Naples to gain deeper insights into the museum’s collections.

This strategic partnership includes a comprehensive program of collaborative projects spanning AlUla’s cultural landscapes and heritage sites. Teams from both RCU and the museum are involved in integrating these efforts with opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and skill development on both sides.