The opening of the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia marks an important new milestone in the cultural landscape of the region. I am always delighted to see new museums emerging around the world, especially as institutions in Europe and the US often resist returning artefacts to their countries of origin while simultaneously maintaining that other nations lack adequate museum infrastructure.
Today, with the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the Pyramids Plateau and the opening of the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah, it is evident that the region is now home to some of the world’s finest cultural institutions.
Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, minister of culture and chairman of the Saudi Museums Commission, formally announced the opening of the Red Sea Museum, housed in the restored Bab Al-Bunt building in Historic Jeddah. This historic district, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has undergone extensive restoration, transforming its buildings, houses, markets, and museums into vibrant cultural spaces. I vividly recall my own tour through the area and the sense of joy among local residents as they revitalised their shops and markets.
One of the most striking aspects of the new museum is its seamless integration of past and future, presenting ancient artefacts alongside contemporary works including the modern installation “The Gate of Gates”. The initiative reflects Prince Badr’s significant contributions to the preservation and restoration of Saudi heritage. The Bab Al-Bunt building itself, formerly a gateway to the kingdom, stands as a landmark deeply connected to the nation’s history.
Prince Badr has emphasised that the Red Sea Museum will serve as a cultural hub for the region, dedicated to documenting and presenting the Red Sea’s tangible, intangible, and natural heritage. The institution offers visitors a world-class experience, blending historic architecture with state-of-the-art technology and an inclusive narrative design.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the museum embodies the kingdom’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting national heritage while developing a cultural infrastructure that enhances quality of life through the arts, education, and creativity. The initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in empowering cultural production and innovation.
The official press release describes the Red Sea Museum as a repository of the region’s natural and cultural heritage, presenting narratives of exchange, creativity, and connection through an advanced museological approach supported by contemporary design and technology. Although I have been unable to attend in person, my colleague Hamed bin Mohamed Fayez reports that the displays in the new museum are exceptional, and it succeeded in bringing together leading experts in museology to realise this ambitious project.
The museum’s vision is to foster the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge, celebrating the diversity of the Red Sea and the legacy of its people through time. Its mission is to turn Bab Al-Bunt into a world-class museum, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the Red Sea’s rich natural and cultural heritage. It brings communities together through dynamic exhibitions and programming, driven by a commitment to social and environmental sustainability.
The historic Bab Al-Bunt building has been restored according to the highest environmental sustainability standards for heritage conservation. Bab Al-Bunt has retained its architectural spirit and regained its role as Jeddah’s first gateway to the world over the past century. Today, it returns as a cultural landmark that connects past and present, highlighting Historic Jeddah as a bridge between cultures along the Red Sea coast.
The museum’s permanent collection features over 1,000 artefacts and artworks presented across seven themes in 23 galleries. These include “Al Bunt”, which maps the history and transformation of the building itself, “Salam Upon the Sea”, exploring the origins and cultural significance of the Red Sea, “Orientation”, unearthing the navigation tools and methods used by sailors and travellers, and “A Living Sea”, celebrating the region’s biodiversity and coastal communities.
There is also “Sea of Abundance”, charting the Red Sea’s maritime trade, cartography, and cultural exchange, “Sea of Faith”, tracing historic journeys to sacred cities and iconic artefacts, and “Sea of Inspiration”, showcasing artistic interpretations of the Red Sea.
Historic artefacts such as Chinese porcelain, incense burners, coral, jewellery, navigational tools, astrolabes, maps, sacred manuscripts, and photographs are presented alongside modern and contemporary artworks by Saudi, regional, and international artists, creating a dialogue between past and present.
Opening alongside the museum, the inaugural temporary exhibition “The Gate of Gates” by Saudi artist Moath Alofi, curated by Philippe Cardinal, documents the transformation of Bab Al-Bunt and its role as a gateway between past and present. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the building’s layered history and its renewed role as a cultural landmark.
The Red Sea Museum will also launch with a vibrant public programme of workshops, masterclasses, talks, and panel discussions. Highlights include artisan training through “Made in the Red Sea”, collaborative sustainability projects such as “Red Sea Art”, and cultural performances including “Music of the Red Sea”, a unique symphony and parade celebrating the region’s musical traditions.
The opening of the Red Sea Museum reflects the mission of Historic Jeddah to preserve cultural heritage in a modern, sustainable form while creating opportunities for economic and cultural growth.
THE MUSEUM: Developed by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea Museum is a world-class institution housing a collection of unparalleled significance. From archaeological discoveries to artistic masterpieces, it offers fresh perspectives on the Red Sea’s tangible, intangible, and natural treasures.
Through robust programming, the museum raises awareness and appreciation for the biodiversity of the Red Sea region, inviting visitors to explore a space that caters to diverse interests and learning styles. Its exhibitions, research, and public activities foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and connect communities locally and globally.
Set within the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Jeddah Historic District, the Red Sea Museum reflects the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s commitment to preserving Saudi Arabia’s unique heritage while pioneering new approaches to cultural exchange and sustainable development.
Beyond the galleries, the museum is a centre for research and preservation, working with local and global partners to safeguard the Red Sea’s heritage for future generations. Visitors are invited to join guided tours of the museum and Jeddah Historic District to uncover the stories behind the collections and the city’s history.
Before leaving the museum, visitors can explore the museum shop for Red Sea-inspired products crafted by local artisans and enjoy the rooftop café with panoramic views over the Jeddah Historic District.
The Bab Al-Bunt building stands at the meeting point of land and sea, adjoining the Red Sea to the west and opening towards the city to the east. Built in 1866 at the edge of Jeddah and outside its historic walls, Bab Al-Bunt marked the beginning of the journey for travellers arriving by sea and served as a thriving commercial hub, alive with the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.
Since its earliest days, Jeddah has been a centre of maritime exchange, connecting Africa, Arabia, and Asia. As the Bab Al-Bunt building has evolved, it has become one of Jeddah’s most recognisable landmarks, with its distinctive canopy and unique architectural features symbolising the building’s role in welcoming the world to the Red Sea region.
Historic Jeddah is located in the heart of Jeddah city and is one of the oldest urban settlements on the Red Sea coast. For centuries, it served as a hub for pilgrims, traders, and travellers from across the Islamic world. The traditional architectural style of the western region is manifested in its wooden rawasheen, coral-stone buildings, ancient mosques, and traditional markets, all of which earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.
In 2018, the Saudi Ministry of Culture launched the Historic Jeddah District Programme to revive the district’s architectural integrity and cultural vitality, transforming it into a global tourist destination rooted in Saudi identity. This includes restoring historic buildings, rehabilitating public spaces, and stimulating cultural and economic activities.
As part of the programme structure, the destination management team provides an integrated experience for visitors, including tourist guidance, a unified call centre, digital services, publications, and licensing, in addition to coordination with service providers to ensure comprehensive and optimal operations.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 4 December, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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