Riyadh, June 2026

The "Black Gold" museum in Riyadh is continuing to welcome visitors, offering an exceptional cultural and artistic experience that narrates the history of oil and its profound influence on the development of societies and economies around the world, through interactive content that brings art, knowledge and history together in a contemporary form.

The museum takes visitors on a journey spanning thousands of years, from the earliest stages of oil's formation deep underground, through its uses in ancient civilizations, to its central role in shaping the modern world. It also presents the major transformations in the energy sector and their economic, social and environmental effects worldwide.

The museum is housed in a distinctive building designed by the late world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid at the headquarters of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh, offering a complete visual and knowledge experience that reflects the historical relationship between humanity and oil from its discovery to its role in every aspect of modern life.

The museum is the result of cooperation between the Museums Commission and KAPSARC, supported by the Quality of Life Program, and aims to offer a comprehensive cultural and knowledge reading of the history of oil and its far-reaching effects on the economy, culture and the environment.

During the tour, visitors encounter artworks and modern display technology documenting the different stages of the oil industry, along with creative works that raise questions about the future of energy and sustainability, making the museum a space for dialogue and reflection as well as a cultural and knowledge destination.

The museum continues to attract those interested in energy, history and the arts from inside and outside the Kingdom, as the first permanent museum to bring oil and art together in an innovative cultural experience that raises awareness of the history of one of the most important resources that shaped the modern world.

At a Glance

  • Location: Riyadh
  • Organizers: Museums Commission in cooperation with KAPSARC
  • Event: Black Gold museum
  • Type: permanent cultural and art museum
  • Audience: those interested in energy, history, culture and the arts
  • Status: ongoing, open to visitors