The Royal Commission for AlUla has inaugurated the "Deep Surfaces: Architecture to Enhance the Visitor Experience of UNESCO Sites" exhibition, organized in partnership with UNESCO as part of the Venice Biennale Architecture 2025.
The exhibition is hosted at Palazzo Zorzi in Venice, Italy, and will run through November 23.
The exhibition presents over 50 projects located in UNESCO-designated sites, including World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks. These projects range from new architectural developments and rehabilitated historic structures to small-scale interventions and facilities still under construction.
Visitors will explore how architecture contributes to heritage preservation, controls access, supports local economies, and fosters social inclusion. The exhibition also promotes the role of these sites as learning spaces for sustainable development and global citizenship, in response to complex contemporary challenges.
Among the highlights is Hegra, the ancient city in AlUla and the first Saudi site inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The exhibition showcases several initiatives focused on public engagement and safeguarding the site. It also emphasizes the collaboration between the Royal Commission for AlUla and UNESCO to establish a reference model for best practices as part of a broader partnership for heritage preservation and sustainable development.
