Among its sides are stories and historical details that extend back centuries. As soon as you wander through its streets and explore its alleys and ancient buildings with a unique urban style, a visitor will be overwhelmed with astonishment, and curiosity will push you to know the history of the region and delve into the depths of its details.
This is the historical area in Jeddah (western Saudi Arabia), which today has become an “open museum” that reflects the region’s heritage and rich culture, a global destination for visitors and dreamers, and a destination for beauty seekers from all over the world to wander among its alleys, learn about its landmarks and culture, and enjoy the warmth of its people.
Famous actor Will Smith documents (Historic Jeddah Program)
With the launch of the international cinematic event represented by the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah in its third session, many of the festival’s stars, directors, and distinguished filmmakers were keen to visit the region, learn about the history of the city, and wander among its buildings and ancient neighborhoods, whose origins go back about 3,000 years, before documenting their journey with souvenir photos in front of the city. The most famous heritage landmarks.
The most prominent international stars and celebrities flocked to get to know the region up close and explore its archaeological landmarks, including the famous actor Will Smith and actress Sofia Vergara, who were amazed by the beauty of the buildings and their charming ruins. They documented, through video clips and photos, the beauty and antiquity of the place, and expressed their deep admiration for Saudi Arabia’s heritage and culture.
Visitors were struck by the details of the historic houses, as they contain numerous pieces of evidence that tell the story of the aesthetics of the ancient city and its design. It also represents the authenticity of time and place for the unique architectural style, with facades made of Javanese wood and Indian teak, which provide natural ventilation for the houses, as well as the archaeological museums, ancient courtyards, and the diversity of the inventory. cultural in it.
Tourists from different countries of the world during their visit to the region (Historic Jeddah Program)
It was not surprising that the historical region, which was chosen on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, enjoyed great fame, as it witnessed the influx of visitors throughout the year from inside and outside Saudi Arabia, including ministers, ambassadors, politicians, and the brightest stars of art and sports.
The urban art of the region embodies engineering works that lead to astonishment at the extent of the skill of builders and carpenters in making buildings and wooden windows known as “Roshan”, which cover the openings overlooking the house to the outside with luxurious wood, and work to reduce temperatures in their artistic way that allows the entry of outside air and ventilation of the house. To make it an artistic painting on the walls of buildings, and provide a view of its ancient streets.
Actress Sofia Vergara while shopping in the historical district of Jeddah (Instagram)
When you arrive in the historical area, you will notice the gates of the old wall of Jeddah, the most famous of which from the east is “Bab Jadid”, which was built in the early 1940s during the Saudi era, followed by “Bab Mecca” from the eastern side opposite the Bedouin market, and then “Bab Sharif” from the southern region, before heading on a journey. To the most famous houses in the region, the most prominent of which are Beit Nassif, Beit Al-Matbouli, Beit Salloum, Beit Sharbatly, Beit Qabil, Beit Zainal, Beit Al-Batterji, Beit Baeshen and Beit Salloum. All of these houses were recently restored according to the highest specifications and standards.
Spanish football star David Villa during his visit to the region (Historic Jeddah Program)
Many sites stand out in the depth of history, the most important of which is the Al-Shafi’i Mosque, the Othman bin Affan Mosque, called the Ebony Mosque, the Akash Mosque, the Hanafi Mosque, and the Abu Anba Mosque, in addition to the most ancient popular markets, which represent a favorite destination for lovers of heritage and souvenirs, and the area is far away. Only 20 minutes from the best shopping experiences and international dining options.
Part of the visit of British actor Henry Cavill to the region (Historic Jeddah Programme)
Two years ago, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, launched the “Revitalizing Historic Jeddah” project, which aimed to develop the region into a center for culture and business and a destination for entrepreneurs, in the context of his keenness, interest, and preservation of historical sites, preserving them, and rehabilitating them in order to achieve the goals of “Vision 2030.”
As part of the continued efforts of the Saudi Crown Prince to grow and develop the region, the Public Investment Fund announced last month the establishment of the Al-Balad Development Company to be the main developer of the historic Jeddah region (Al-Balad), and to make it an economic center and a global cultural and heritage destination.
The famous actor Will Smith during his tour in the historical district of Jeddah (Historic Jeddah Program)
Through the Historic Jeddah Development Programme, the Ministry of Culture is working on developing and rehabilitating several areas in the heart of the country, and transforming their neighborhoods into an ideal model that preserves their heritage status, to become a vibrant location full of cultural experiences and the joy of shopping and discovery.
