Gate of the Gates

Showcasing the craftsmanship of young maritime artisans under 35, this exhibition highlights traditional tools used in navigating the Red Sea.

The Red Sea Museum will tell the story of the paths of the pilgrims, merchants, global travelers, and dwellers who have crossed this exquisite sea.
Through 7 sequences on 1000 sqm, around 500 ancient and contemporary artefacts and artworks and immersive visual displays spread on two floors, the permanent exhibition of the museum will showcase the importance of the Red Sea through time, stories and cities.


Starting from Jeddah, the gateway to Makkah and the bride of the Red Sea, the visitors will discover the rich biodiversity of the sea, associated myths, and traditional ways of navigation or building
with coral stones carried by the people inhabiting the coastline cities of Suakin, Massawa, Aden or Yanbu. Traveling through time, visitors will learn about the experience of the Red Sea journeys by
merchants, explorers and historians, including the famous Ibn Battuta.
Moving up to the first floor, Makkah, the long-awaited destination for pilgrims crossing the Red Sea is presented. Visitors will follow the journey of the Mahmal transporting the Kiswa from Cairo to
Makkah. Throughout their travels, many pilgrims and artists have shared their experience through different mediums and typologies.

They represented their faith through their art, words, photographs which will be displayed throughout the museum.
The permanent exhibition ends with a room dedicated to the color “blue”. In this section, the museum we will discover how the Red Sea has always been an inspiration for artists of different
origins and practices.