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Saudi Arabia’s RCU Signs Partnerships with Italian Institutions on Cultural Heritage Cooperation

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo
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Saudi Arabia’s RCU Signs Partnerships with Italian Institutions on Cultural Heritage Cooperation

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed new partnership agreements with the Directorate-General of Museums of Italy and the Pompeii Archaeological Park, aimed at further strengthening cooperation in the fields of heritage preservation, archaeology, and museums.

The partnerships are built on a long-standing history of collaboration and expertise exchange, rooted in the ancient Incense Route that once connected the two civilizations. The partnerships cover a wide range of cooperation in various fields, including archaeology, gastronomy, and architecture.

In 2023, Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Italian counterpart Gennaro Sangiuliano signed a strategic partnership agreement to enhance cultural exchange between the two nations.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited AlUla, where she and her delegation explored several cultural and historical landmarks, including Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"AlUla and Pompeii share a profound historical depth, and together, we aspire to develop them through international cooperation in heritage conservation, management, and global cultural promotion—aligning with our ambitious efforts to enhance sustainable tourism," said RCU CEO Abeer Al Akel.

She also said that this partnership expands cooperation across multiple fields through expertise exchange and a shared commitment to protecting cultural treasures for future generations, adding that both sides will work together to design and develop new cultural assets and experiences.

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Culture

Italy Displays Paintings from an Ancient Etruscan Tomb, Its Latest Cultural Acquisition

People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026. (Reuters)
People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026. (Reuters)
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Italy Displays Paintings from an Ancient Etruscan Tomb, Its Latest Cultural Acquisition

People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026. (Reuters)
People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026. (Reuters)

Italy on Tuesday put on display one of the best-known examples of Etruscan painting, panels from a tomb that it acquired for 15 million euros ($17 million) in the Culture Ministry’s buying spree of big-ticket pieces of the country's cultural heritage.

The ministry announced in May that it had acquired the fresco panels, dating from the 4th century, from members of the Torlonia family, one of Italy’s ancient noble families whose vast collection of antiquity has long been kept out of the public domain.

The Francois Tomb was discovered in 1857 by the French archaeologist Alessandro Francois in Vulci, on land owned by the Torlonia family. The frescoes were detached from the necropolis in 1863 and became part of the Torlonia private collection, while the contents of the tomb were divided up among Francois, colleagues and the family.

The Italian government has been trying to get possession of the tomb since 1921, as part of its effort to bring back into the Italian public patrimony artifacts and antiquities that were acquired or looted during the boom of archaeological excavations in the 1800s and beyond.

The Etruscan Civilization occupied swaths of what is today central Italy for centuries was a major Mediterranean trading power. Much of it was destroyed by the subsequent Roman Empire.

The tomb is opening to the public Wednesday at Rome’s Villa Giulia National Etruscan Museum. Alongside the fresco panels are jewels, Etruscan vases and other items that were discovered inside the tomb, now belong in museum collections around the world and were loaned to Italy for the exhibition.

The tomb marks the Culture Ministry’s third major acquisition this year of expensive, culturally important artworks. It paid $14.9 million for Antonello da Messina’s “Ecce Homo” and around $35 million for a rare portrait by Caravaggio depicting Maffeo Barberini, the future Pope Urban VIII.

The funds have come from the ministry’s annual budget for acquisitions, but Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli has prioritized buying fewer, bigger-ticket items of cultural importance rather than smaller, lesser artworks and antiquities, officials said.

“In recent months, the Ministry of Culture has invested a great deal of money in acquiring masterpieces,” said Massimo Osanna, director general of Italian museums in the ministry.

Giuli has said the tomb is a “fundamental” part of Italian history that was now being returned to the Italian public to enjoy.

Luana Toniolo, director of the Villa Giulia museum, called the tomb one of the greatest masterpieces of antiquity and Etruscan painting, and one of the best preserved. Among other things, the paintings depict the sacrifice of Trojan prisoners and battles of Etruscan heroes.

Culture

Sunken Treasures Exhibition Showcases Historic Maps of the Red Sea

Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition. (SPA)
Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition. (SPA)
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Sunken Treasures Exhibition Showcases Historic Maps of the Red Sea

Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition. (SPA)
Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition. (SPA)

Historic maps of the Red Sea on display at the "Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea" exhibition document the strategic importance of this vital maritime corridor and reflect how geographers, travelers, and cartographers viewed the region over the centuries.

More than geographical illustrations, the maps serve as historical records of the Red Sea's role as a gateway for trade, pilgrimage, and cultural exchange linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday.

Among the exhibits at the Red Sea Museum is a 17th-century map that provides an early depiction of the region. It highlights mapmakers' understanding of the Red Sea's importance as a major maritime route connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean, while illustrating the ports and shipping routes that played a central role in global commerce.

The maps demonstrate how the Red Sea's strategic location made it a hub for economic and cultural exchange. Merchant vessels carrying spices, incense, textiles, and minerals sailed its waters alongside ships transporting pilgrims from across the Islamic world, establishing the Red Sea as one of history's busiest and most influential maritime routes.

The collection also reflects the evolution of geographical and navigational knowledge. Compiled using the expertise of sailors, captains, and travelers, the maps documented coastlines, islands, and ports, serving as essential references for maritime navigation before the advent of modern navigational technologies. They also illustrate the accumulation of scientific knowledge that deepened understanding of the Red Sea's geography and maritime environment.

Culture

Historic Jeddah Enriches Visitor Experience with Traditional Crafts and Cultural Activities

Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation. (SPA)
Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation. (SPA)
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Historic Jeddah Enriches Visitor Experience with Traditional Crafts and Cultural Activities

Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation. (SPA)
Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation. (SPA)

Historic Jeddah offers immersive cultural experiences through interactive programs that combine learning with hands-on participation, enabling visitors to explore local heritage and discover traditional crafts in an environment that blends creativity and education, further strengthening its position as a vibrant cultural destination, the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday.

The activities featured a variety of workshops, including handmade bookbinding, mosaic art for children, painting on canvas bags, and crafting perfumes from natural ingredients, providing participants with opportunities to explore diverse artistic materials and techniques.

These activities reflect the concept of a comprehensive cultural experience by going beyond showcasing handicrafts to allowing visitors to observe production processes, interact with artisans, and participate in workshops, educational tours, and community programs, thereby deepening their understanding of traditional crafts and their historical and cultural significance.

The experience presents a model that uses culture to discover both place and people, transforming a visit to Historic Jeddah into an educational journey that extends beyond sightseeing by bringing together heritage, creativity, and community engagement, reinforcing the Kingdom’s cultural identity.