Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) made its official debut in the metaverse, and now virtual tourists can visit the to-scale and a fully immersive 3D replica of Hegra’s Tomb of Lihyan in Saudi Arabia from the comfort of their homes.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the quickly growing digital landscape known as Decentraland, will allow virtual visitors to enter the Hegra tomb, which real-world visitors cannot do, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) said in a statement.

Additionally, the Decentraland tourists will be able to immerse themselves in Hegra’s history by activating information points to unveil its story in vivid, interactive detail. 

Aiming to be a focal point for online exploration, the digital Hegra will house a calendar of virtual events. The commission is also putting together a schedule of virtual activities that will take place at the brand-new digital Hegra site and “will digitally introduce visitors to the delights of AlUla via the intriguing, high-tech lens of the metaverse.”

As part of KSA’s Vision 2030 to support technological transformation and innovation, information portals will direct visitors to various aspects of AlUla’s heritage, thereby increasing awareness of its 200,000 years of human history.

The metaverse is Hegra’s ultimate goal as part of RCU’s transformation of AlUla into the largest living museum in both the physical and virtual worlds.

“As the custodians of a unique culture, fascinating heritage, and ancient traditions, the adoption of the latest technologies represents the next exciting step for RCU’s commitment to empowering AlUla’s regeneration,” said Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU.

Hegra, the largest preserved site of the ancient Nabatean civilization, was named the first World Heritage Site in the KSA by UNESCO in 2008. The archaeological site, which is 20 kilometers north of AlUla, is well-known for its numerous tombs and rock formations, the biggest being the 22-meter-tall Tomb of Lihyan.

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