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.
