Royal Commission For Alula Strengthens Alula-Italy Bonds With New Partnerships Boosting Shared Goals Across Conservation, Archaeology And Museums

The Royal Commission for AlUla’s (RCU) long-standing, strategic, and mutually beneficial ties with leading Italian cultural institutions have been greatly expanded and strengthened through the signing of new partnerships with the Directorate-General of Museums and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. 

RCU’s new agreements with two of Italy’s most prominent history, heritage, and conservation entities, Rome-based Directorate-General of Museums and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, which conserves an Italian city that was preserved for centuries under the ashes of Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in AD79, builds on an enduring legacy of cooperation, knowledge sharing and capacity building between AlUla, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. 

Rooted in the legacy of the ancient Incense Road, the bonds between KSA and Italy last year celebrated 90 years of official intergovernmental and diplomatic relations. The diverse and expansive nature of the AlUla-Italy relationship continues to build on connections spanning archaeology, food and architecture.  

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent visit to AlUla served to further solidify the Saudi-Italian partnership, to mark a new era of cultural cooperation between countries, and destinations, with a shared vision. As part of her itinerary, Prime Minister Meloni and the Italian delegation were given a tour of some of AlUla’s cultural landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra. 

In recent years the Saudi-Italian partnership has blossomed through multiple initiatives such as the Slow Food initiative, AlUla’s twinning with the ancient southern Italian town of Matera, and links with the Museo Archaelogico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN), which launched a captivating exhibition of objects from several Italian archaeological sites, including Pompeii and Herculaneum, at Maraya, AlUla’s iconic mirrored building designed by Giò Forma of Milan, the team also behind The Chedi Hegra hotel.  

Abeer AlAkel, RCU ACEO said: “AlUla and Pompeii are, in a way, partners from the history of our ancient civilisations. We are revitalising our partnership to bring new models of conserving, managing, and interpreting ancient heritage to the world. Both parties are keen to collaborate on the international stage, showcasing ambitious leadership in promoting sustainable tourism. 

“RCU’s partnership with the Directorate-General of Museums broadens the scope of our cooperation and is shaped by an interdisciplinary and knowledge-building approach. With a shared commitment to protecting cultural treasures for future generations, we will work together to design and establish new cultural assets, models, and experiences.” 

Director of Directorate-General of Museums, Prof Massimo Osanna, said: “The Directorate-General of Museums welcomes this strategic partnership with great enthusiasm as it reflects the ambition and ability of the National Museum System to operate as a unified and coherent entity on the international stage.  

“As often emphasised, projects aimed at the enhancement and accessibility of cultural heritage must, to be truly effective, be grounded in rigorous research and the expansion of knowledge. This protocol is indeed founded on the exchange and sharing of experiences and expertise, which are essential elements for fostering mutual enrichment. Once again, culture proves to be a bridge between peoples, strengthening the bond between two countries united by the legacy of millennia-old cultures.” 

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, said: “Pompeii has always been a laboratory for the archaeology of the future. In these years, we have started exploring more specifically the relationship between archaeology, agriculture, sustainability, local traditions and social, cultural and economic development.  

“We are glad to see that Pompeii’s innovative approach is appreciated on an international level and we are very happy to have in AlUla an extraordinary partner to share and develop new perspectives for the conservation, research and accessibility of the unique heritage of these sites and the cultural landscapes they are part of.” 

AlUla’s evolving and maturing ecosystem of Italian partnerships is fully aligned with the long-term goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for sustainable development and international collaboration across tourism, culture and beyond.