The Director General of SCTH Branch in Asir Region also said that efforts are being made to register Rijal Almaa heritage village in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, renovating Tharban Palace in Al-Namas has been completed and it is expected to be operated soon. Restoration works were also carried out for Abu Malha heritage palace in the city center of Abha and will be added to the exhibitions under Asir Regional Museum soon. Al-Alaya Mosque was also renovated. Documentation and restoration studies are carried out for Musharafa Palace in Al-Namas. The project is currently brought forward for implementation by SCTH. Eng. Al-Omrah highlighted the efforts exerted by the National Program for Crafts and Handicrafts in Asir Region, saying the Program succeeded in registering 264 male and female handcrafters, in addition to supporting the handcrafters’ production line through providing raw material, training and rehabilitation, so as to develop the crafts and assist in continuous marketing of the products. Eng. Al-Omrah emphasized that Asir Region is the second region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to achieve the largest benefit from "Mohammed bin Salman's Project for the development of historical mosques" since 23 mosques have been approved to be developed and restored. Heritage villages and private museums attracts visitors in Asir Region. Visitors to the region are surprised to find various heritage villages and private museums scattered across the region’s governorates and areas. Information about these sites is easily available to the visitor. Heritage villages and private museums have become a haven, which embraces the heritage collectors who compete to offer the most beautiful and antique collections that have been known in Asir Region throughout the years. Antique collecting as a hobby has become significantly important to introduce the lifestyle of the people, who lived in the region in the past, to the next generation. The historical village of Al-Muftaha in the center of Abha is one of the significant heritage villages. The 260-year-old village welcomes its visitors for many years to present its architectural art, heritage and tradition. It incorporates adjoining houses along the internal and external passageways built according to Asir Region’s traditional construction style. It is distinguished by the small openings and thick walls. Al-Muftaha Archaeological Museum is located in the center of the village. The three-story museum dates back to 150 years and is now one of the attractions of the historical region of Asir visited by national and international visitors. It exhibits many handicrafts and traditional industries in the region such as metal casting, gold and silver crafting, blacksmithing, carpentry and engraving. It also exhibits the distillation methods and techniques for roses and Kady flower, which are famous to be cultivated in Asir Region since ancient times. "Shada Palace", built in 1930, is opposite to Al-Muftaha village from the eastern side. It is one of the largest museums in Asir Region. It is located in the middle of Abha city, next to the building of the Asir Region Principality. It is an old four-story building with a traditional museum on the heritage of the region. --More 12:41 LOCAL TIME 09:41 GMT 0007 www.spa.gov.sa/w1149978