From ancient trade routes to shipwreck discoveries, Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea at the Red Sea Museum offers an immersive journey beneath the waves.
If you are looking to explore Jeddah beyond the usual cafés and Corniche strolls, the Red Sea Museum invites visitors to delve deeper into Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea. Running from 25 February to 29 May 2026 at the Bab Al Bunt building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this temporary showcase turns the Red Sea into a storytelling map, charting centuries of movement, exchange and survival through the objects left behind.
Designed as a voyage across time and sea, the exhibition begins with The Red Sea Passage, which sets the scene for how winds, navigation patterns, and seasonal conditions shaped historic trade routes. It traces the Red Sea’s role as a vital connector, linking the Mediterranean with southern Arabia, East Africa and the Indian Ocean, and reveals how maritime knowledge influenced the region long before modern shipping lanes existed.
From there, Life Aboard the Ship brings the human element into focus. Here, the vessel becomes a world of its own, with artefacts such as pottery, coins, glass, and ceramics offering a glimpse into daily life at sea. The objects speak to the practicalities of long voyages, the value of cargo, and the skills required to read the sea and sky with confidence.
The mood shifts in Shipwrecks: From a Voyage to a Memory, reflecting on journeys that ended abruptly. Whether through storms, powerful waves, or collisions with coral reefs, shipwrecks become frozen moments in time, preserving stories that would otherwise be lost. It is a reminder that the Red Sea’s beauty has always come with risk, and that history is sometimes written by what never reached shore.
The final chapter, Exploring for Tomorrow, looks ahead. Conservation and scientific interpretation take centre stage, highlighting how underwater discoveries evolve from archaeological finds into living lessons, and closing with a clear call to protect these fragile sites for future generations.
Tickets are priced at SAR 10, making it an easy cultural add-on for anyone keen to see Jeddah from a fresh perspective.
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