RIYADH: A resident of Saudi Arabia's northwestern Tabuk province has opened his museum to the public featuring his private collection of the Kingdom's heritage artifacts dating back several centuries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The “Hasmaa Museum,” owned and operated by Ode bin Afanan Al-Sulaimi Al-Atwi, takes its visitors through the history, culture and civilizations that have contributed to shaping the Kingdom, with a special focus on the northwest.
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Atwi said that he began collecting rare items as a hobby about 25 years ago and has since amassed a significant collection of historical artifacts.
His passion culminated in the idea of establishing the museum just over four years ago, with the aim of sharing the rich tapestry of Saudi human history with a wider audience.
Spanning an area of about 2,200 square meters, the museum has a collection of more than 10,000 heritage pieces.
The collection includes ancient garments, coins, primitive and manufactured weapons, and the earliest devices marking the advent of human technology. It also contains automobiles and a vast array of items from both ancient and modern periods.
The museum features an extensive display of photographs and artifacts narrating the evolution of the Kingdom and its various government sectors.
Al-Atwi thanked the Kingdom’s Museum Commission for its encouragement and support in establishing his museum.
