"Historic Jeddah" The unveiling of the Red Sea Museum…Saturday

The Museum Authority is preparing to open The Red Sea Museum on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in the heart of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a sustainable cultural economy that enhances identity and celebrates the human legacy of the Red Sea.

His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Museum Authority, stressed that the launch of the museum constitutes an important national milestone in the process of preserving heritage.

He said, “The Red Sea Museum embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving its history and heritage in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030, and building an environment A cultural museum that contributes to the quality of life, empowering creative people, and enhancing the presence of culture, arts and education.”

The Historic Bab al-Bunt Building

The museum is located inside the historic Bab al-Bint building, which was restored with the support of the Quality of Life Program in accordance with the highest standards of sustainability, so that this ancient landmark returns to its role as “Jeddah’s first gateway to the world” after more than a century of its prosperity, in a project that connects the past with the present and makes historic Jeddah a vibrant bridge between cultures on the banks of the sea. The Red Sea.

The museum extends over seven themes that are displayed in 23 halls, containing more than 1,000 archaeological and artistic pieces, documenting the history of navigation and maritime trade, pilgrimage trips across the sea, the richness of coastal environments, all the way to the development of arts related to the Red Sea.

These pieces are displayed in a contemporary style that combines historical narration and interactive experiences, to give the visitor a deeper understanding of the role of the Red Sea as a space for cognitive, cultural and social exchange. Through the ages.

Symbolic and architectural transformations

The museum also displays the historical transformations of the Bab al-Bunt building, the origins of the Red Sea and its cultural connotations, navigation tools and ancient maps, in addition to rare collectibles that include Chinese ceramics, coral, jewelry, oud incense burners, manuscripts and historical photographs, in addition to modern and contemporary artworks by Saudi and international artists in a visual dialogue that unites the pulse of the past with a spirit The present.

The opening witnesses the launch of the first temporary exhibition entitled “Gate of Gates” by Saudi artist Moaz Al-Awfi, under the supervision of curator Philip Cardinal, which presents an artistic reading of the symbolic and architectural transformations of Bab Al-Bunt and its historical role as a bridge between two times.

The museum offers a diverse public program that includes workshops, training courses and dialogue seminars, including training of craftsmen within the “Made in the Red Sea” initiative, and sustainable artistic projects such as “Red Sea Art”, in addition to musical performances that celebrate the region’s heritage through “Red Sea Music”.

It also provides educational programs for schools, universities and families, and guided tours in the museum and historic Jeddah.

Employing modern technologies

In parallel, the museum offers a special space for renewable exhibitions, a store that includes products inspired by the culture of the Red Sea and designed by local craftsmen, in addition to a café that provides a panoramic view of historic Jeddah.

The Red Sea Museum is a cultural and cognitive edifice that explores the stories that shaped life on the shores of the sea, and re-presents them in a world-class experience, based on scientific research, heritage preservation, the use of modern technologies, and building bridges of communication between communities locally and globally.

With its opening, Jeddah’s historical position is consolidated as a cultural metropolis and a civilizational gateway that illuminates the history of the Red Sea and presents it – again – to the world.

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