Al-Muftaha Village

Al-Muftaha Village is a tourist village located in Abha City in Aseer Province, southwestern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It serves as a cultural center for traditional, visual, and photographic arts, as well as handicrafts and artisanal industries.

The Ministry of Culture is responsible for overseeing, operating, and maintaining al-Muftaha Village, working within a collaborative framework with relevant official entities such as the Emirate of Aseer Province, the Aseer Region Development Authority, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Since the early 1990s, al-Muftaha Village has become a landmark and tourist destination, recognized as a traditional village that preserves the province's heritage in its entirety. It is home to the King Fahd Cultural Center and Talal Maddah Theater, one of the largest theaters in the Kingdom.

The Saudi Tourism Authority selected al-Muftaha Village as one of eleven destinations for the 'Sayf al-Saudia' program, which launched on June 24, 2021, and continued until September 30, 2021. The program offered over five hundred tourism experiences in partnership with 250 private sector entities. Aseer Province was one of the prominent destinations in the Sayf al-Saudia program, known for its diverse tourism offerings, including mountain, marine, and heritage tourism.

Al-Muftaha Village reflects the culture and arts of Aseer Province through its architecture, built in the traditional Aseeri style, combined with modern artistic touches. The village features numerous visual artworks by a select group of the province's artists, who have made their murals throughout the village's corridors key attractions. These murals tell visitors the deep cultural and artistic connection between Aseer Province, its heritage, and its people.

One of the notable landmarks in al-Muftaha Village is the Tuesday Market, one of the oldest traditional markets in Aseer Province. It was named after the day it is held—every Tuesday. The market features local products and handicrafts in its shops. Designed in an oval shape, the market is divided into pedestrian pathways and open stalls.

Al-Muftaha Village has hosted several events, including the Exhibition of al-Muftaha Village Artists in 2017, and the '1974 for Coffee Lovers' event, organized by the General Entertainment Authority in partnership with the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage (currently the Ministry of Tourism) and the Aseer Development Council (currently the Aseer Region Development Authority) in 2018. The village also hosts community engagement activities organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, such as visits from the residents of elderly care homes.

In 2017, the King Fahd Cultural Center in al-Muftaha Village hosted the "Hakaya Misk" Festival, organized by the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation 'Misk'. The village also hosts various women’s events and activities, such as the Ghabgat Aseer event in 2018. These activities ranged from preparing traditional dishes, creating various artworks, and designing fashion, to accompanying events like performances by the Hejazi troupe, children's Gargee'an festivities, riddles, storytelling, and the traditional Musaharati. There were also games like chess, along with a dedicated path for artists.