An exhibition highlighting more than two millennia of cultural exchange between Oman and Italy has opened in Milan, marking a new cultural initiative by the Sultanate aimed at strengthening international heritage ties.
Titled “Oman and Italy: Two Millennia of Cross-Civilisational Dialogue”, the exhibition was inaugurated at the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s leading cultural institutions, as part of Oman’s wider cultural diplomacy programme.
Organised by Oman’s National Museum under its “Oman Day” initiative, the exhibition explores centuries of interaction between the two civilisations through trade routes, maritime links, and the exchange of knowledge and culture.
Officials said the showcase draws on archaeological findings, historical manuscripts, travel accounts, and maps to trace shared connections between the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean world.
The opening ceremony was attended by Oman’s ambassador to Italy, HH Sayyid Nizar bin Al Julanda Al Said, alongside senior officials from Oman’s National Museum and Italian cultural representatives.
Speakers at the event highlighted the depth of historical relations between the two countries and the role of maritime trade routes, including the frankincense route, in shaping long-standing cultural links.
The exhibition features a wide range of artefacts, including Iron Age objects, Roman-era discoveries, Islamic manuscripts, and historical maps. Curators say the collection illustrates how Oman acted as a key crossroads between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.
Among the exhibits are archaeological items linking ancient Omani settlements with Roman-era artefacts, alongside manuscripts documenting early scientific, religious, and maritime knowledge.
The exhibition also examines shared heritage in areas such as water management systems, navigation, and architecture, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange across regions.
Officials from both Oman and Italy described the initiative as a symbol of ongoing cultural cooperation and a foundation for future collaboration in museums, research, and heritage preservation.
