Two of the world’s remarkable open-air heritage destinations, AlUla in north-west Saudi Arabia and Pompeii in southern Italy, have come together in a new collaboration that will redefine how travellers experience the past.
The Royal Commission
for AlUla (RCU) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Archaeological
Park of Pompeii (PAP) led by General Director Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel as part
of the Saudi-Italian Cultural Cooperation Framework.
The visit marked a
deepening of cultural ties between the two UNESCO World Heritage sites and
explored how shared expertise can enhance conservation, interpretation, and
visitor experience.
Set amid sweeping
desert canyons and lush oases, AlUla is a living museum of human civilisation.
Its signature site, Hegra, was the first place in Saudi Arabia inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage List and is home to monumental tombs carved by the Nabataeans
more than 2,000 years ago.
Surrounding it are
ancient kingdoms at Dadan, mystical inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah, and the
mudbrick lanes of Old Town, all revealing more than 200,000 years of continuous
human history.
Over several days,
experts from Pompeii and AlUla exchanged insights on how heritage sites can
evolve to meet the expectations of modern travellers while safeguarding
authenticity. Workshops and site tours focused on conservation methods, visitor
flow, digital storytelling, and sustainable tourism.
Phillip Jones, Chief
Tourism Officer at RCU, said the partnership shows how cultural destinations
can learn from one another to deliver richer and more meaningful experiences.
“Traveller’s today are
not just looking at history, they want to feel part of it. Through
collaborations like this, we are ensuring that when people walk through Hegra
or Pompeii, they connect with the stories, craftsmanship, and cultures that
shaped our world. It is about preserving the past while inspiring the traveller
of tomorrow.”
The visit also
demonstrated the complementary nature of both destinations. While Pompeii
represents a moment frozen in time, AlUla tells a story of resilience and
continuity, where heritage, landscape, and living culture remain intertwined.
Dr. Abdulrahman
Alsuhaibani, Vice President of Cultural at RCU, said this diversity offers
powerful opportunities for learning.
“Pompeii’s urban
archaeology and AlUla’s landscape archaeology present two very different
approaches to uncovering the past. By combining these perspectives, we are
building new methods of conservation and site interpretation that can elevate
the visitor experience for years to come.”
Dr. Gabriel
Zuchtriegel, Director General of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, added that
collaboration between the two destinations goes beyond science.
“Pompeii and AlUla
share a belief that heritage can be a bridge between cultures. We are united by
a mission to protect history and to invite visitors to engage with it
responsibly, sustainably, and with wonder.”
The RCU-Italy
partnership extends far beyond archaeology, encompassing design, craftsmanship,
and education. Future projects include the Pompeii G.R.E.E.N. Conference on
Sustainable Heritage Management and joint exhibitions celebrating cultural
exchange between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Silvia Barbone, Vice
President of Strategic Partnerships at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU),
said.
“This visit marks the
first milestone since our partnership with Pompeii was signed in AlUla in the
presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, symbolizing a new chapter in
Saudi-Italian cultural cooperation. Through this collaboration, we will work
together on heritage management and enhancing visitor experiences, integrating
culture with landscape and agriculture to ensure that heritage remains a living
resource, one that continues to educate, inspire, and sustain communities for
generations to come.”
For travellers, this
collaboration promises more engaging storytelling, advanced conservation
techniques, and immersive experiences that bring history vividly to life,
whether walking the sun-baked streets of Pompeii or exploring the ancient tombs
of Hegra beneath AlUla’s desert stars. -TradeArabia News Service
