AlUla, a region rich in 200,000 years of history, is central to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with the ambitious goal of transforming it into the world’s largest open-air museum. The Hegra Conservation Project, focused on preserving Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, integrates traditional Italian restoration methods with modern technologies. Spearheaded by Estia and supported by Mapei’s material analysis expertise, the project ensures sustainable preservation of Hegra’s ancient tombs and monuments while adhering to global conservation standards.
Spanning over 20,000 km2 and located about 1,100 km from Riyadh, AlUla is a region steeped in over 200,000 years of history. It boasts five main archaeological sites open to the public, nestled within a breathtaking landscape of lush oases and towering sandstone mountains. This area, once home to ancient civilizations such as the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms from the 6th to 3rd centuries B.C., followed by the Nabataean Kingdom (200 B..C-106 AD), is a living testament to the past.
But AlUla is not just about history: it is rapidly becoming something even greater. Set to transform into "the largest museum in the world," this extraordinary region is at the heart of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plan. Recognizing AlUla's immense cultural and tourism potential, the Saudi authorities are investing heavily in its future. To spearhead this transformation, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established, with the mission of preserving and enhancing the area’s heritage while developing it into a premier global tourist destination.
RCU's goal is not only to attract millions of visitors but also to contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s economy to the national GDP by 2035. Through this vision, AlUla is poised to become a world-class cultural destination, marrying its ancient heritage with modern tourism.
The project, part of the Vision 2030 plan, aims to launch the area as a new tourist and cultural destination
Hegra Conservation Project aims to assess the conservation status of the Hegra tombs and monuments
Hegra: the crown jewel of AlUla
AlUla’s ambitious heritage project spans five main archaeological sites across various districts, with the most prominent being the ancient city of Hegra. Covering 52 hectares, Hegra holds the prestigious title of Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage site. Once a bustling center of the Nabataean Kingdom, Hegra thrived due to its strategic position at the crossroads of vital trade routes, including the famed incense and spice routes that connected Arabia to Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia. Following its conquest by the Roman Empire in 106 BC, Hegra became a key outpost, fortified by the Romans and serving as one of their southernmost strongholds.
The city’s rich history, shaped by the Nabataeans, Dadanites, Lihyanites, and Romans, is etched into its landscape. Today, visitors can marvel at over 110 tombs, monuments, and rock-carved chambers, all intricately decorated and preserved for centuries.
Reopened to the public in 2020, Hegra invites visitors to step into a journey through time and immerse themselves in the secrets of ancient civilizations. Surrounded by a breathtaking natural landscape, Hegra offers not only a journey through history but also a truly enriching cultural experience.
AlUla is an area of over 20,000 km² and has numerous archaeological sites, including the Hegra site, which is full of monuments and tombs.
The Hegra Conservation Project
To allow visitors to fully experience the beauty and archaeological significance of the Hegra site, an ambitious conservation and restoration project has been launched. The Hegra Conservation Project focuses on studying the factors threatening the 2,000-year-old tombs and identifying the most effective methods for their long-term protection and preservation.
Led by Professor Mauro Matteini, the project is managed by Estia, an Italian restoration company with over 30 years of expertise, in collaboration with Saudi authorities. The project combines traditional Italian restoration techniques with cutting-edge technology to ensure a comprehensive approach.
To meet the completion deadline of December 2025, set in agreement with the Royal Commission for AlUla, Estia has assembled an international team of technical and scientific experts. These specialists are supported by some of Italy’s most innovative companies. Geogrà is responsible for conducting 3D surveys, while ES Projects and Systems has developed a geodatabase for efficient data management.
On the other hand, Mapei has played a crucial role in the scientific analysis of materials, with its Research & Development laboratories assisting in the examination of samples collected on-site by Estia’s restoration team. This collaboration has allowed for the creation of products and technologies specifically designed to ensure a sustainable and respectful conservation strategy. Through this united effort, the Hegra Conservation Project aims to preserve the unique heritage of this ancient site for future generations.
This initiative follows strict international conservation standards set by Unesco and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). With a focus on minimal intervention, the project uses non-invasive methods to maintain the site’s authenticity. Careful consideration is given to using materials that are compatible with the original stonework to ensure historical accuracy and long-term preservation.
The Hegra project has two goals: to study the factors damaging the archaeological remains and identify measures for their conservation
The project is structured into five phases, running from October 2023 to December 2025. The first phase, from October 2023 to April 2024, saw a team of experts selected by Estia begin their work by assessing the conservation status of the Hegra tombs. This phase focused on detailed observation and diagnostic analysis, collecting critical data about the materials used in the construction of the monuments and other key factors, laying the groundwork for future studies. In the second phase, from May to September 2024, the collected data and samples were analyzed, and the processing of 3D surveys, reports, and cartographic mapping was completed.
The third phase, running from October 2024 to April 2025, involves cleaning tests and treatments in designated sample areas. Finally, in the last months of 2025, the project will conclude with the completion of the final operations and the preparation of detailed reports. This approach ensures a systematic and thorough preservation effort, setting the stage for a lasting conservation impact on the Hegra tombs.
Hegra Conservation Project aims to assess the conservation status of the Hegra tombs and monuments through close observation, collection of material samples and diagnostic analysis.
With its extensive experience in the restoration of monuments and buildings of significant historical, artistic, and cultural importance, Mapei has played a key role in the Hegra Conservation Project from the very beginning. The Mapei’s long-standing collaboration with industry professionals, combined with its specialized range of innovative restoration materials and technologies, made it a natural partner for this initiative.
However, it was in the project’s second phase that the company's contribution became truly pivotal: Mapei provided cutting-edge tools and technologies to support Estia’s restoration experts in analyzing material samples collected on-site. This analysis focused on identifying products that were chemically, physically, and mineralogically compatible with the original construction materials used at Hegra. Mapei also developed custom solutions tailored to meet the specific restoration and renovation needs of the site, ensuring that future work would align with both the historical authenticity and preservation goals of the project.
Mapei provided cutting-edge tools and technologies to support Estia’s restoration experts in analyzing material samples collected on-site.
