Fatima Museum of Asiri Heritage

Located about 10 minutes from the city center of Abha in Saudi Arabia, the Fatima Museum of Asiri Heritage is a true hidden gem. It is home to hundreds of traditional Asiri items, such as women’s clothing, jewelry, spices, rugs, pots, and paintings depicting the region’s art and culture.

Fatima Museum’s collection of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri paintings, a UNESCO-listed Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is impressive. Al-Qatt Al-Asiri is a form of wall painting that has been practiced by the women of the Asiri region for centuries. Women decorate the walls of their houses in interesting patterns consisting of squares, triangles, diamonds, and dots painted in bright natural colors like red, yellow, green, and blue.

Fatima Museum of Asiri Heritage is the brainchild of Fatimah Faye’e Alalmai, a famous Al-Qatt artist who has worked hard to revive the art form and restore it to its former glory. The family, headed by Fatimah Faye’e Alalmai, now runs the museum.

The museum also organizes Al-Qatt workshops where the younger generation is taught all about the techniques and nuances of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art. There is also a small souvenir shop where you can pick wall plates, coffee mugs, and coasters painted in traditional Al-Qatt designs.