Asaan museum to feature 57,000 Saudi artifacts

Expected to open in the coming years in historic Diriyah, Asaan will offer immersive experiences to explore Saudi Arabia’s culture. (SPA)
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Updated 30 April 2025
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Asaan museum to feature 57,000 Saudi artifacts

RIYADH: The Misk Heritage Museum, known as Asaan, a new facility focused on preserving Saudi Arabia culture, has signed a 30-year agreement with Art of Heritage, affiliated with the Al-Nahda Society. 

The partnership will ensure a showcase of thousands of rare pieces from Art of Heritage, including collections related to the Saudi way of life.

Asaan will house and manage Art of Heritage’s collection of 57,000 ethnographic objects, including 3,000 pieces of jewelry, and over 3,000 garments.

In addition, it will display 40,000 photographs, daily tools, more than 1,000 books, manuscripts, audio recordings, videos, old maps, and camel howdahs. 

Before transfer, Asaan will digitize the collection to preserve its historical value, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

The collection will also be a part of Asaan’s educational programs, community outreach, and artisan product development, fostering a deeper connection between Saudi society and its heritage. 

Expected to open in the coming years in historic Diriyah, Asaan will offer immersive experiences to explore Saudi Arabia’s culture and inspire visitors to engage with its heritage, according to the SPA.

This collaboration supports Asaan’s goal to showcase authentic Saudi heritage and share stories of daily life in the Kingdom, giving visitors a closer look at its rich, diverse traditions.


Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

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Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

  • Jerry Inzerillo: In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution
  • Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions

JEDDAH: Under the theme “Vision to Reality,” Diriyah has moved beyond aspiration in 2025, translating long-held plans into a tangible, lived experience, according to Jerry Inzerillo, group chief executive officer of Diriyah Co.

Throughout the year, Diriyah Company, the Saudi Public Investment Fund entity developing the Diriyah giga-project, advanced from planning and preparation into delivery. Contracts and agreements exceeding SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) marked a pivotal transition from the establishment phase to early operations. 

Inzerillo told Arab News: “At Diriyah, progress is measured by what is delivered on the ground against the plans we set. In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution. 

“Together, these achievements reinforce Diriyah’s role as one of the Kingdom’s most important national transformation projects, with growing impact locally and internationally. We remain committed to advancing with responsibility and purpose, transforming ambition into reality and creating a destination that honors history while shaping the future.”

In 2025, Diriyah Co. signed eight major contracts, alongside 16 agreements, reinforcing delivery momentum across multiple development streams. International recognition also continued to grow, with Diriyah earning prestigious global awards and securing positions in influential international rankings, Inzerillo said.

Infrastructure development played a central role in shaping the visitor experience. New road networks were delivered to ensure smooth connectivity between historic districts and contemporary developments.

The company also inaugurated two high-capacity electricity transmission substations, securing the power required to support residents, visitors and a growing portfolio of residential, hospitality, educational and cultural assets. 

Collaboration with Majid Al-Futtaim Group introduced a portfolio of global brands, positioning Diriyah Square as a distinctive shopping and entertainment destination, Inzerillo said. At the same time, Diriyah’s partnerships with the Saudi Contractors Authority and the Saudi Tennis Federation embedded sports, events and professional initiatives into the fabric of urban life. 

Diriyah’s vision extended into the future of mobility and design, Inzerillo said. Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions, designed to make movement across the city faster, more efficient and integrated.

Diriyah Company, in collaboration with Pantone, unveiled “Diriyah Tan,” a custom color inspired by the city’s historic mud architecture. More than a visual signature, the color captures Diriyah’s identity, bridging its origins with its contemporary expression.

Diriyah’s excellence was also recognized at the highest international level, Inzerillo said. In 2025, TIME magazine named Diriyah Company among the World’s 100 Most Influential Companies, acknowledging the project’s cultural, economic and urban impact.