The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii are continuing to deepen their collaboration on the preservation and long-term development of AlUla Old Town, under a cooperation agreement signed in January 2025.
The partnership brings together two of the world’s most significant open-air heritage destinations, combining active archaeological research with visitor-facing cultural development. Its aim is to strengthen conservation efforts at AlUla Old Town while guiding its future through a comprehensive, heritage-led approach aligned with international best practice.
A multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, conservators, architects and engineers is leading the work, applying rigorous scientific methodologies to study the town’s urban fabric and highlight its historical significance. The findings will inform long-term preservation programmes designed to protect the site’s architectural and artistic features, while supporting sustainable public access.
AlUla Old Town is one of the most important elements of the region’s cultural history. Many of its surviving structures are estimated to be around 300 years old, with more than 1,000 residential units still retaining the character of traditional oasis life. Together, they form a rare and continuous record of settlement, reflecting AlUla’s enduring cultural identity.
The current phase of the project includes the restoration of around 30 houses, as well as targeted interventions on selected architectural elements and the town’s mosque. Alongside physical conservation, the work is focused on strengthening documentation and interpretation standards, ensuring the site’s stories can be shared more clearly with future generations while supporting its long-term sustainability as a cultural destination.
The collaboration reflects RCU’s wider commitment to protecting and developing heritage assets in line with international conservation standards, while supporting AlUla’s long-term vision as a global centre for culture, heritage and tourism.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, highlighted the site’s unique layering of history uncovered during recent visits.
“We noted stones with inscriptions from the Iron Age site of Dedan, which is nearby, dating from the first millennium BCE, but also tin cans containing pure ghee, with labels in English and Arabic, imported from the Netherlands sometime toward the mid-20th century,” he said. “The characteristic wall paintings, which were usually created when a newly married couple moved into a house, at some point start showing cars next to traditional symbols such as the tree of life. These cars can be dated to different periods based on their design.”
Silvia Barbone, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at RCU, said Pompeii’s second visit to AlUla this year demonstrated the evolving nature of the collaboration.
“The team, led by Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, explored the site’s remarkable layering of history—where centuries-old inscriptions exist alongside traces of modern life,” she said. “These insights are helping us define the scope and direction of a partnership that could set new benchmarks in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. Our goal is to ensure that any joint initiative with Pompeii builds on shared values of authenticity, innovation and community relevance.”
Dr Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, Vice President of Culture at the Royal Commission for AlUla, described Old Town as one of the Kingdom’s most meaningful heritage assets.
“Our collaboration with Pompeii strengthens our ability to safeguard this history while enhancing the way we share it with the world,” he said. “By deepening our understanding of the site and elevating how its stories are presented, we are creating a more immersive and insightful experience for visitors and ensuring that Old Town remains a living, resonant chapter of AlUla’s cultural identity.”
Together, RCU and Pompeii say the partnership has the potential to set new standards for international cooperation in heritage preservation, combining archaeological excellence with sustainable cultural development.