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BURAIDAH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), laid the foundation for the Qassim Museum in Buraidah on Thursday.
The total cost of the 10,000-square-meter project, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cultural Heritage Program, is SR67 million ($17. 9 million).
Prince Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud, governor of Al-Qassim region, attended the foundation ceremony.
Prince Sultan bin Salman also visited the new SCTH branch in Buraidah, accompanied by the deputy governor of Al-Qassim region, Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Faisal bin Turki, as well as Prince Sultan bin Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud and Maj. Gen. Badr Al-Talib, director of the district police. 
Abdul Mohsin Abanmi, director general of projects and architectural affairs at the SCTH, said the museum would benefit from being located in the heart of a vibrant area filled with parks and sports grounds in Buraidah.
“The museum will include several halls, including one that is dedicated to the region’s ecosystem, one for the pre-Islamic period, one for the Islamic period, one for modern history, and one for Saudi life,” he said.
The museum’s design was inspired by the region’s historical urban architecture, he said.
“The architect is keen to emphasize the architectural heritage of Al-Qassim through the museum’s façade and interior, in addition to using local materials for the finishes.”
The SCTH chief inspected the commission’s new branch, which is being built on 5,000 square meters of land near King Fahad Road in Buraidah at a cost of SR18 million. 
Prince Sultan bin Salman said the tourism projects reflected the large number of visitors who were interested in ��������Ƶ’s historical heritage, and hoped these museums would spread across the Kingdom.