An Italian village has opened in Saudi Arabia

A replica Italian town will host visiting fans before tonight's Supercup final between Juventus and Milan in Jeddah

A replica Italian village outside King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
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Football fans on their way to King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah for tonight’s Italiana Suppercoppa final will be forgiven for thinking they’re in the home of the visiting teams, rather than in Saudi Arabia.

That’s because event organisers erected an Italian village complete with detailed replicas of some of the European nation's best-known landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Rialto Bridge, the Pantheon and Pisa's famous leaning tower.

Italian footballers, journalists and fans will feel right at home wandering through the village's colour-washed houses complete with traditional wooden shutters, typical of those found across Italy.

A replica of Rome's Colosseum can be found in Jeddah as part of the Italian Supercup festivities. 
A replica of Rome's Colosseum can be found in Jeddah as part of the Italian Supercup festivities. 

Keeping fans entertained before tonight’s big match between the Serie A and Italian Cup champions, the village will host musical performances, light shows, circus acts as well as arts events. There will also be cultural performers from Italy and Saudi Arabia, as well as plenty of games for all ages.

Located in front of Gate 6 at King Abdullah Sports City, events at the village will run from 4pm to 10pm local time, with kick-off for the sold-out game taking place at 9.30pm.

Copies of colourful houses, Rome's Colosseum and the Rialto Bridge at the Italian Village in Jeddah, part of the Italian Supercup celebrations. 
Copies of colourful houses, Rome's Colosseum and the Rialto Bridge at the Italian Village in Jeddah, part of the Italian Supercup celebrations. 

Of about 62,000 tickets sold for the match, 15,000 will go to women who will watch the game after strict rules on gender separation were eased last year. Unaccompanied women will only be permitted to sit in the family section of the stadium.

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