National Archaeological Museum of Naples to Present Ancient Masterpieces at AlUla’s Maraya in Groundbreaking Exhibition

•       Exhibition is the first time iconic Italian artefacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and beyond will be displayed in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East
•       Running from November 7 to December 14, 2024, ‘Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples’ will be showcased at Maraya.
•       The exhibition is a keystone event of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, a collection of curated, immersive experiences awakening 200,000 years of human history across AlUla’s heritage sites and cultural venues.

As part of the highly anticipated Ancient Kingdoms Festival taking place in AlUla, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) will present a collection of artefacts from Italian ancient sites to the region for the first time, offering visitors a rare opportunity to encounter iconic legends of history.

Running from November 7 to December 14 and free to enter by booking, the exhibition, titled ‘Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples’, will showcase artefacts from the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — buried under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE — as well as pieces from the famed Farnese Collection, one of the most prestigious collections from Greco-Roman antiquity.

Signifying a blend of ancient splendour and modern beauty, the exhibition will be held at the famed Maraya, the largest mirrored building in the world. Each complimentary ticket grants exclusive access to Maraya and a 30-minute audio guide available in Arabic, English, and Italian, that brings to life the fascinating stories behind the artefacts.

Held as part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, a flagship AlUla Moments event, the exhibition is set to be an inclusive experience suited for every type of visitor, from history and culture history enthusiasts to curious newcomers. A rare opportunity to admire priceless artefacts outside Italy, guests will be taken on an insightful audio-guided journey through the MANN collection.

The ancient masterpieces on display include statuettes of Alexander the Great, a head of Greek historian Herodotus, and a remarkable floor mosaic from Pompeii’s House of the Faun that depicts the river Nile, among others. Armour and helmets worn by Roman gladiators from the 1st century CE further enrich this historical display.

Visitors can also learn more about famed leaders including Julius Caesar, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius, and their vision of a universal empire that shaped the ancient world. Artefacts representing some of these leaders have been found here in AlUla, at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra.

Since opening its doors to global travellers, AlUla has shared with guests its legacy as an ancient crossroads, home and host to ancient kingdoms, and a key stop on the Incense Road, through world-class, year-round cultural experiences.

The MANN exhibition is a crowning jewel in one of AlUla’s most popular cultural extravaganzas, Ancient Kingdoms Festival. The festival offers a unique and family-friendly journey into the past, with immersive, multi-sensory experiences designed to bring the region’s ancient stories to life. Visitors will have the chance to delve into AlUla’s role on the Incense Road and uncover the hidden treasures of this once-thriving trade route, making the festival a must-visit for culture and history lovers.