Maraya Concert Hall
Have you ever wondered why we tend to look into mirrors when we pass by them? The answer lies more in our curiosity for exploration than vanity. Mirrors allow us to explore every corner of something, so it’s no surprise that Al Ula’s Maraya Concert Hall is littered with them. The cubic shape and fully reflective surface allow visitors to see every facet of the surrounding desert. Inside, they will find even more inspiration and exploration.
What visitors to the Maraya see at first glance is an architectural marvel that combines depth and simplicity. The vastness of the hall was inspired by the breathtaking expanse of the surrounding landscape.
“The building proves to you that Al Ula can indeed surprise you with a new reflection and in a new way every day. “AlUla’s embrace of the building is testament to how much creativity and uniqueness are valued in the region,” says Loujain Ibrahim, an interior designer who worked with MMG Group to help bring the Maraya concerts to life.
Maraya Concert Hall Designers
The public building, whose name means “mirror” in English, was commissioned by the Royal Commission for AlUla. But it took a global design team to bring the project to life: Giò The Italian-German group Forma, consisting of Florian Boeche, Cristiana Picco and Claudio Santucci, led the architecture and design, while Massimo Fogliati and Fabio Pavanetto of Black Engineering led the project, which had to not only reflect the desert but also pay homage to history.. “As seen in Nabatean architecture, the Maraya Concert Hall was created using segmentation and (by) sculpting blocks,” Boje told Arab News.
A Sri Lankan creative artist based in Riyadh recently spoke about her visit to Maraya, saying, “The experience is truly amazing. The ancient rock formations surrounding the modern and impressive mirror structure are a breathtaking sight to gaze at for a long time.”
What to see at Maraya Concert Hall
The building and its exceptional façade were unveiled at a special ceremony held in 2019, during the second season of AlUla’s Winter at Tantora. Since then, AlUla’s artistic and cultural scene has flourished, in no small part due to the presence of Maraya. The 500-seat venue has hosted renowned international artists including Egyptian musician Omar Khairat and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli. The venue has also hosted a number of temporary art exhibitions. And some of the world’s most important luxury brands, such as Rolls-Royce and Cartier, have also chosen the venue as the backdrop for their commercials.
How to get to Maraya Concert Hall
The glittering, shimmering structure in Al Ula is a two-hour flight from Riyadh. It is located in the historic Wadi Ashar, about 10 minutes’ drive from Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest surviving monument of the Nabataean civilization. It is home to more than 100 rock-cut tombs. If you are attending an event in Maraya, add a Hegra tour to experience an unforgettable side of history along with your culture.
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