JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission has announced that the Kingdom’s Red Sea Museum will open its doors to the public on December 6, in the port city of Jeddah.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the museum established in the restored Bab Al-Bunt building will serve as a cultural anchor for the region.
Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Museums Commission, Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, has said that the Red Sea Museum reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting national heritage and developing cultural infrastructure that enhances quality of life through culture, the arts, and education, while empowering creative talent in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Serving as a guardian of the Red Sea’s natural and cultural legacy, the museum brings together the region’s narratives of exchange, creativity, and connection. Its approach is rooted in museological expertise, innovation, and state-of-the-art museum technologies, offering an inclusive and immersive experience.
The museum’s vision is to promote cross-cultural knowledge exchange by celebrating the diversity of the Red Sea and the enduring heritage of its people. Its mission is to transform Bab Al-Bunt into a world-class cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the Red Sea’s rich natural and cultural history. Through dynamic exhibitions and programmess, the museum fosters community engagement, guided by principles of social and environmental sustainability.
The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 1,000 artifacts and artworks displayed across 23 galleries organised into seven thematic sections. These themes include: Al-Bunt, which traces the history and evolution of the Bab Al-Bunt building; Salam Upon the Sea, exploring the Red Sea’s origins and cultural significance; Orientation, highlighting the navigational tools and methods used by sailors and travelers; A Living Sea, celebrating the region’s biodiversity and coastal communities; Sea of Abundance, examining the Red Sea’s maritime trade, cartography, and cultural exchange; Sea of Faith, documenting historic pilgrimages to sacred cities and notable religious artifacts; and Sea of Inspiration, showcasing artistic expressions inspired by the Red Sea.
Historic objects—such as Chinese porcelain, incense burners, coral, jewelry, navigational instruments, astrolabes, maps, sacred manuscripts, and early photographs—are displayed alongside modern and contemporary works by Saudi, regional, and international artists, fostering a rich dialogue between past and present.
