AlUla: Renaissance of an Oasis
Located in the northwestern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, AlUla's astounding archaeological sites have hosted numerous civilizations from the Neolithic to the Roman and Ottoman eras. A meeting point for societies of the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean world, and Asia, AlUla has borne witness to 200,000 years of shared human memory and served as a setting where the arcs of common cultural heritage, the Arabic language, and humanity’s relationship with the natural environment has evolved and endured.
Since 2021, UNESCO and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) have joined forces to preserve AlUla’s rich heritage and awaken the Oasis that embraces this millennial legacy for the benefit of local communities. Their shared ambition is rooted in a deep commitment to enrich lives, introduce sustainable livelihoods, and create new memories in this ancient landscape. Inspired by the meaning of the name “AlUla", encompassing height, honour, and the epitome of achievement, UNESCO and RCU are harnessing innovation and creativity to restore the Oasis to its flourishing glory, transforming it into a sustainable haven capable of meeting the challenges of today's world.
About the Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in northwest Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
