The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) plans to set up 140 new heritage projects as part of its national reform program plan, including museums, archaeological buildings, and historical sites across the kingdom.
A source was quoted by Saudi Gazette saying: “The projects would cost an estimated $2.7bn (SAR10.4bn), under 13 initiatives headed by the commission.
“The commission will open 17 new handcrafts centres in various areas of the kingdom. The commission will open centres in Riyadh, Al-Miftaha Village in Abha, Al-Ghat, Al-Ula, Al-Ahsa, Aba Assaud Castle in Najran, Al-Qishla Castle in Hail, Turaif District in Historical Al-Diriyah, Rijal Almaa, Al-Sour District in Yanbu, the Railway Station in Madinah, the Historical Village in Bin Raqoush Castle, Thi Ain Historical Village, Al-Musoukif Souk in Unaizah, Crafts Souk in Buraidah, Crafts Souk in Old Jeddah and Productive Families Souk in Jazan.”
According to the source, the commission registered 18 new archaeological buildings in the kingdom as historical sites, with the cooperation of both the public and private sector.
The sites include buildings in Al-Ahsa, the Historical Village of Al-Khubaraa in Qassim, Al-Ula Historical Village, Al-Ghat Historical Village, Turaif District in Al-Diriyah, Yanbu Historical City, Rijal Almaa Historical Village in Asir, Thi Ain Historical Village in Baha, Old Jeddah, Najran Historical City, Al-Dir’ Historical District in Dowmat Al-Jandal, Ushaiqir Historical Village, Al-Mojamaah Historical City, Taif Historical City, Taimaa Historical City, Farasan Historical Island, Abha Historical City and Shaqraa Historical Village.
The source also said the commission has registered 18 museums as part of the national heritage, and 80 areas as historical sites in the kingdom.
The museums include King Abdulaziz Castle in Dhiba, King Abdulaziz Castle in Haql, Amiriyah School in Al-Ahsa, Al-Wajh Castle, Shibra Historical Museum in Taif, Northern Borders Museum and Heritage and Artifacts Museum in Madinah, Al-Ula, Taimaa, Dammam, Tabuk, Hail, Qassim, Jouf, Najran, Jazan and Asir.
“The commission will register six historical sites in the Kingdom as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites are Al-Ahsa Oasis, Dowmat Al-Jandal Oasis, Rijal Almaa Historical Village, Thi Ain Historical Village, Al-Haj Al-Masri Road and Al-Haj Al-Shami Road in Tabuk,” added the source.
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