Al-Balad, Jeddah

Al-Balad (), also known as Jeddah Historic District (), is the historical area of Jeddah, the second largest city of Saudi Arabia. Al-Balad can literally be translated to "The Town". Al-Balad is the historic center of the City of Jeddah.

Traditional Hijazi houses are characterized by their wooden Roshan windows (), and wooden Mushrabiyas.

In May 2019, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a multi-billion dollar restoration of 56 historical building in Al-Balad. The first stage of the restoration is worth $13.3 million.

In October 2023 and in line with Saudi Vision 2030, The Saudi Public Investment Fund announced Al Balad Development Company, which aims to transform Historic Jeddah into a global tourist destination.

History

thumb|Jeddah in 1938

Al-Balad was founded in the 7th century and historically served as the centre of Jeddah. Al-Balad's defensive walls were torn down in the 1940s. In the 1970s and 1980s, when Jeddah began to become wealthier due to the oil boom, many Jeddawis moved north, away from Al-Balad, as it reminded them of less prosperous times. Al-Balad had insufficient parking space for large cars. Its stores did not sell expensive designer clothing. Poor immigrants moved in place of the Saudi population.

Many Jeddawis had moved away from Al-Balad by 2007; the streets of Balad were still packed with people during the month of Ramadan.

Historical neighborhoods

Al-Balad is mainly divided into a number of different districts:

Al-Mazloum neighborhood: This neighborhood was named after Abdulkarim al-Barzanji, who was killed by the Ottoman government, and is located in the north-eastern part of the area, north of Al-Alawi Street. It includes Dar Al-Qabil, Al-Shafi'i Mosque, and Souk Al-Jamaa, known as Souq Qabil.
Al-Sham neighborhood: Located in the northern part of Al-Balad, which includes Dar al-Sarti and Dar al-Zahid.
Al-Yemen neighborhood: Located in the southern part of Al-Balad, south of Al-Alawi Street, and gained its name from its direction towards the country of Yemen, it includes Dar Al-Nassif, Dar Al-Jumjum, Dar Al-Shaarawi, and Dar Al-Abdul-Samad.
Al-Bahr neighborhood: Located in the south-western part of Jeddah, overlooking the sea and Dar Al-Radwan, known at the time as the Radwan of Sea.

Historical houses

thumb|[[Naseef House, 2020]]

Among the most famous and oldest buildings to date are the Al Nassif House and Al Jamjoom House in Yemen neighborhood, Al Baeshen House, Al Qabal Mosque, Al Shafi'i Mosque in Al Mazloum, Dar Al Banaja and Al Zahed Houses in the Al Sham neighborhood. Some of these buildings have risen to more than 30 meters. Their construction is still in good condition after decades.

In May 2024, Jeddah Historic District Program announced the restoration of 3 historical houses, which are the Jokhdar House, Al-Rayyis House, and Kedwan House, and turning them into luxury hotels. The restoration was supervised by the ministry of culture, which assigned Al Balad Development Company to manage the hotels.

Non-Muslim Cemetery

The Non-Muslim Cemetery (formerly known as the Christian Cemetery) is located on the King Fahd Branch Road in Al-Balad. The cemetery is hidden from sight by a wall and high trees. The supervision of the site is the responsibility of Western consulates in Jeddah. Cyril Ousman, the British Vice-consul of Jeddah who was shot and killed by Prince Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is also buried here. The cemetery was vandalised following the Battle of Jeddah in 1925. Being part of the Jeddah Season touristic festival 2019, Al-Balad hosted a number of events, all of which are organized under the title "Kanz Al-Balad". Kanz Al-Balad is a scavenger hunt in which participants are asked to find particular places or objects. Along the game, participants can enjoy attending more than 41 shows and plays in the area.

Notes

References

Bradley, John R. Saudi Arabia Exposed: Inside a Kingdom in Crisis. Palgrave Macmillan. 2005.

External links

جده التاريخيه ثلاثية الابعاد (jeddah albalad 3d model)