As part of the highly anticipated Ancient Kingdoms Festival, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) is set to captivate AlUla visitors with an exhibition from 7th November to 14th December, showcasing a collection of artefacts from Italian ancient sites. 

Taking place at Maraya, this will be the first time these historical treasures are displayed in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, offering guests an unmissable opportunity to witness these precious pieces of history for themselves.

Each complimentary ticket provides exclusive access to Maraya and includes a 30-minute audio guide available in Arabic, English, and Italian, narrating the captivating tales behind the artefacts. To book your free ticket now, click here.

Some of the most interesting pieces from the MANN exhibition are artefacts from the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both famously buried under volcanic ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. The exhibition will also highlight pieces from the prestigious Farnese Collection, known for its exceptional Greco-Roman antiquities.

One of AlUla Moment’s flagship events, Ancient Kingdoms Festival runs from 7th to 30th November and offers a family-friendly journey into history, complete with immersive, multi-sensory experiences designed to bring to life the region's ancient narratives.

This year's theme is inspired by the Incense Road, a legendary trade route that connected ancient civilisations through the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas – and fuelling the rise of AlUla’s historic cities, Dadan and Hegra.

For millennia, AlUla was a vital station along the Incense Road, where caravans transported prized goods like frankincense, myrrh, spices, and other luxury items from southern Arabia to markets in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean, and even as far as Greece and Rome. AlUla’s strategic location and abundant water resources made it a thriving hub for traders, enriching a chronicle of kingdoms, particularly the powerful Dadanite, Lihyanite and Nabataean civilisations.

Even after the Nabataeans were annexed by Rome, the legacy of the Incense Road endures in AlUla. Incense continues to play a key role in local customs, symbolising respect, hospitality, and celebration. Recent research into AlUla’s Intangible Cultural Heritage shows how these traditions have been preserved, with incense-making skills passed down through generations.

This cultural richness is at the heart of this year’s Ancient Kingdoms Festival, which promises a lineup of captivating experiences. 

The festival opens with a grand parade featuring 300 performers and concludes with candle-lit concerts by renowned artists, making this three-week celebration an unmissable journey through history, culture, and discovery.