18th-Century Qur'an Exhibited at Makkah Museum

The Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah houses an 18th-century copy of the Quran, displaying the beauty and precision of Islamic calligraphic art and ornamentation from that period.

Written in black ink, the manuscript combines characteristics of several schools of Islamic calligraphy, demonstrating the copyist’s skill in applying the distinctive style of each school.

Its meticulous diacritical marks and vowel notations reflect an emphasis on accuracy in the handwritten copying of the Quran. Meanwhile, floral motifs and intricate ornamentation adorn the opening pages, highlighting the artistic tradition in Quranic manuscripts.

The manuscript offers visitors a glimpse into the history of handwritten Quran copying, the development of Arabic calligraphy, and the decoration and gilding techniques used in Quranic manuscripts across various historical periods.

The Hira Cultural District is increasingly visited by both domestic and international tourists, further cementing its position as one of the leading cultural and educational destinations in the holy city, situated at the foot of Mount Hira, where the Cave of Hira is located — the site of the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The district presents a range of educational content through modern interactive technology that combines authenticity with innovation.

The most prominent component of the district is the Revelation Exhibition, which documents the story of the first revelation through various visual and audio presentations.

The district is one of the key projects highlighting the cultural and civilisational dimension of Makkah, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the cultural and tourism sectors and promote Islamic heritage.