Makkah Advances Preservation and Development of Historical and Cultural Sites

Riyadh: The historical and cultural sites of Makkah bear witness to the city's rich history, encompassing places associated with events from the life of the Prophet and Islamic history, as well as roads, markets, wells, inscriptions, and landmarks that have shaped the city's identity over the centuries. According to Saudi Press Agency, with growing attention to these sites, a comprehensive system is now in place to preserve, study, and rehabilitate them, while presenting them in an accessible manner that enables visitors to learn their stories and appreciate their significance. This approach builds on the strategy for historical and cultural sites in Makkah, which seeks to establish an integrated system covering documentation, protection, rehabilitation, experience development, partnership activation, and enhanced site readiness and sustainability. Under the strategy, 65 development studies have been conducted, 56 sites documented, 32 rehabilitated, and 23 enhanced, with 28 sites now open to visitors. Visit ors to historical and cultural sites reached 5.9 million by the end of the second quarter of 2026, up 47% from 3.6 million during the same period in 2025. Visitor satisfaction reached 95.8%. Since the strategy's launch, total visits to historical and cultural sites have exceeded 19 million, reflecting not only increased visitation but also the expansion of the network of sites and experiences, improved access, and the transition of more sites from study and preservation to visitation and engagement. Makkah's historical and cultural sites thus remain an integral part of the city's story: a heritage to be preserved, landmarks to be explored, and experiences that offer visitors a deeper understanding of Makkah and its history.