The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a new strategic partnership with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli – MANN) which will see ancient masterpieces from the museum’s collection exhibited in Saudi Arabia, and the region, for the first time.
The newest addition to RCU’s global network of cultural partners, MANN joins leading heritage and educational institutions from the UK, France, China, and Italy enhancing global collaboration in the ongoing conservation, study, and celebration of AlUla’s 200,000 years of shared human history.
A landmark museum in one of Italy’s heritage capitals, MANN was created in 1777 and is now home to some of Europe’s most cherished cultural treasures, including wonderfully conserved Roman and Greek statues, bronzes, frescos, and other remarkable pieces.
The agreement between RCU and MANN paves the way for a specially selected collection of artefacts to be transported from Naples in Southern Italy to AlUla in northwest Arabia for the Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples exhibit.
A total of 15 masterpieces from ancient cities and historic landmarks, such as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Rome, will be debuted to a regional audience. This will be the first time in the museum’s history that the marbles on exhibition, as well as the terracotta elephant will be on display outside of Italy. Additionally, the Nilotic Mosaic will be making its second trip abroad, having first been displayed in Japan. The exhibit will form one of the key cultural attractions at the 2024 edition of AlUla’s Ancient Kingdom’s Festival, and will be on display at Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building, from the 7th November to the 14th December.
Visitors to the upcoming exhibition include; AlUla World Archaeological Symposium guests, and schoolchildren from AlUla as part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival School Engagement Week.
The partnership between RCU and MANN builds on the May 2023 signing of an intergovernmental agreement between Saudi Arabia and Italy which aims to foster cultural diplomacy through the promotion of cultural conservation, knowledge sharing, and heritage protection. As part of this collaboration, a team of specially selected Rawis (AlUla’s onsite heritage interpretation team) travelled from AlUla to Naples as part of a cultural exchange, that saw them learn more about MANN’s collections, in particular its prized Nabataean altar which was recovered from the sea near the ancient commercial port of Puteoli.
Dr Abdulrahman AlSuhaibani, VP of Culture at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is a repository of masterpieces that reveal the wonders and richly interconnected stories that helped shaped the ancient world – key among them are Nabataean artefacts including alters and inscriptions dedicated to the Nabataean chief deity Dushares that show the extent of that civilisation, from AlUla in northwest Arabia to the shores of southern Europe.
“It’s a privilege for RCU to host the Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples exhibit and to display its wonderful collection of ancient artefacts for the first time in the region as we build toward an exciting calendar of cultural events, including the AlUla World Archaeological Symposium and the Ancient Kingdom’s Festival.
“This important new partnership between RCU and MANN highlights our aim to work in reciprocal, and collaborative development with global knowledge centres, as we continue to share the cultural significance of AlUla and its role in a global history.”
Beyond the exhibition, the partnership includes a comprehensive programme of technical cooperation projects spanning AlUla’s landscape of cultural assets and heritage sites, with teams from RCU and MANN involved in extensive curation, interpretation, and research work. These will be combined with opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and upskilling by both parties.
Silvia Barbone, VP of Strategic Partnerships, at the Royal Commission for AlUla said “This partnership is integral to our efforts to open new global markets for AlUla and engage with leading cultural institutions worldwide. We are not only enhancing cultural conservation but also creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and skill transfer, ensuring that both AlUla and MANN benefit from a deeper, shared understanding of cultural heritage. MANN was selected not only because it hosts one of the world’s best collections of Greek and Roman antiquities and creates a direct link between Hegra and Pompeii but also because of its management model, which brings the community to the centre.”
Professor Massimo Osanna, Director General of Museums at the Italian Ministry of Culture, added: “We are honoured to partner with the Royal Commission for AlUla in this extraordinary initiative. The new partnership not only strengthens the cultural ties between Italy and Saudi Arabia, but also represents a unique opportunity to share experience and expertise in the field of heritage. Together, we are committed to protecting and enhancing our cultural riches, promoting an intercultural dialogue that will enrich both nations.”
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