Saudi’s Diriyah to open Zaha...

Cultural centre to include interactive spaces, rooftop promenades and gardens

A museum dedicated to Saudi heritage and culture is set to open in Diriyah, the birthplace of the kingdom on the outskirts of Riyadh, which is being transformed into a cultural and lifestyle destination.

An initiative of the Misk Foundation, the Misk Heritage Museum Asaan is a 40,000 square-metre contemporary space designed to showcase Saudi heritage and culture and offer workshops and experiences based on traditional arts, crafts and customs.

The design of the museum will be inspired by local Najdi architecture to seamlessly blend with historic Diriyah but interpreted by Zaha Hadid Architects, marking the second building in Riyadh to be Zaha Hadid-designed, with the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station already open in the capital city.

Asaan museum will be designed by Zaha Hadid Architects

Construction has already begun on the Asaan museum, which will feature interactive spaces, three shaded courtyards, landscaped gardens, rooftop promenades and public plazas as well as a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory to restore and preserve ancient artifacts and works of art, and help train the next generation of museum professionals.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company described Asaan as a "valuable addition to Diriyah’s portfolio of cultural projects" that supports the broader goal of establishing Diriyah as a "world-class destination that celebrates history, culture and national identity".

The museum is the latest addition to the US$63.2 billion Diriyah tourism development, which aims to attract 50 million visits annually by 2030 with a mix of luxury hospitality, retail, restaurants, museums, art galleries and other cultural attractions, including an opera house.

On track for completion in 2030, current attractions in historic Diriyah include Unesco-listed At-Turaif, the Bujairi Terrace with its mix of restaurants and retail and Marriott's Bab Al Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel that is the first hotel to open in Diriyah. More than 40 hotels are planned in total, including a Waldorf Astoria in Diriyah Gate.

Diriyah is where the First Saudi State was established in 1727, and it is famous for its historical significance, ancient Najdi architecture, and Unesco World Heritage Site, At-Turaif, which offers a glimpse into the region's past with well-preserved and restored palaces, mosques and mudbrick structures.

Saudi Arabia welcomed 116 million visitors in 2024, an increase of 6.4% compared with 2023, and aims to reach 150 million by 2030.

For more information, visit asaan.sa/en