Largest Open Museum In The World
Zahra Alabkary- Over recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made clear efforts to pay attention to its heritage, cultural and popular heritage, and this was evident in the initiatives aimed at preserving and developing the heritage. In the northwest of its land, the kingdom saw a fruitful investment looming on the horizon. Within an area of about 29,000 square kilometers, which constitutes about one-fifth of the area of Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Al-Ula Governorate is located, which over the past centuries has formed a distinct historical edifice that tells different eras of time, each with special features. The history of the region goes back hundreds of thousands of years, as it was a destination for incense merchants and pilgrims coming from the Damascus Road to Mecca, just as the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) landed there on his way to the Battle of Tabuk. In the old town of Al-Ula, many stories lie behind the solid rocks, mud houses and narrow alleys. It proves the level of the urban environment of the inhabitants of the region in ancient times, and it bears witness to the development of human heritage throughout the ages. To protect the valuable antiquities and monuments that this city contained, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman decided to turn it into a global heritage tourism destination. From this standpoint, an agreement was concluded between the Kingdom and France on a project to develop Al-Ula Governorate, and the two countries brought together a common vision, which is the governorate. on the cultural and natural heritage, and a group of local and international experts are working on applying them on the ground. It is not surprising that some of the outputs of this project have become tangible today. The Kingdom, with its ambitious vision and its insistence people, on the one hand, and France, with its long-standing experience and advanced skills in the tourism sector, on the other, formed a wonderful duo that proved successful and distinguished in a short period. The Kingdom added to its efforts devoted to the development of Al-Ula by supporting training and development programs that are led by the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate. The Authority sponsors several programs with a responsible sense and a sensitive sense of the city’s landmarks, nature, and heritage that deserve to be revealed to the world. From this standpoint, the Authority laid the foundations for creating a unique experience for visitors in five important cultural centers: the Old City Oasis, Dadan Oasis, Jabal Ikma Oasis, and the Nabataeah Oasis. And the ancient stone city, in addition to several museums, galleries and theaters. Al-Ula is a name that transcends its glory, and a vibrant legacy. Its geographical location, fertile environment, and abundance of groundwater played a role in encouraging the cultivation of palm trees and fruits in the past, and this role extended to the present time, so that Al-Ula has become a vibrant tourist destination that is inexhaustible of beauty. It now includes various programs and events throughout the year, commensurate with its atmosphere throughout the seasons of the year, and the Kingdom is still working in full swing for the development of Al-Ula, with the certainty that this city is the largest open museum in the world.