Al Balad, Jeddah: A Page Out Of History In Saudi Arabia (image/visitalbalad)
Located on coastal land along the Red Sea, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, Al Balad, or ‘The Town,’ is a piece of history that encapsulates centuries of culture in every nook and cranny of its bustling streets in Saudi Arabia. While some trace its foundation to the pre-Islamic era, the city really became one when a seaport was built sometime around the 7th century AD.
Functioning as the gateway to Mecca for Muslim pilgrims from North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia, as well as a major connector of Indian Ocean trade routes, the walled city has historical buildings including coral-stone houses, wooden towers, and over 650 traditional buildings.
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With its maze-like alleyways adorned with mosques, souks, and beautifully built buildings by wealthy merchant families, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its ancestral homes built in such a way that its residents can see the main street, spreading the weight evenly. This technique helps the Hejazi buildings stand the test of time.
The structures are known for their intricate designs. From ornate doors with floral, geometrical patterns with latticed windows (key features of the Hejazi style), the designs continue to marvel tourists. Most houses date back to 200 or even 300 years.
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Over the years, explores such as Ibn Battuta, Ludovico de Varthema, Richard Burton and TE Lawrence aka Lawrence of Arabia have walked past the city of Jeddah. The culturally rich area is now a common site for musical and art exhibitions.
“Old cities are like bodies, the lanes like veins – they arise organically. And that hasn’t been lost in Al-Balad,” said Ahmed Angawi, founder of artist collective Zawiya 97, as quoted by Wanderlust.
