{"id":5896,"date":"2023-10-29T20:45:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T12:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/en\/?p=5896"},"modified":"2023-10-30T14:51:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T06:51:26","slug":"thaif-a-historical-city-that-has-become-a-small-paradise-in-the-middle-of-the-desert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/id\/archives\/5896","title":{"rendered":"Al Balad \u2013 Reveals Jeddah\u2019s Rich Architectural Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5896\" class=\"elementor elementor-5896\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c24f062 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c24f062\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d012a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"6d012a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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data-id=\"592d6be\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f34610d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f34610d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90cf4be e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"90cf4be\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-562b116 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"562b116\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/historic_houses_of_al_balad_jeddah_1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5621\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/historic_houses_of_al_balad_jeddah_1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/historic_houses_of_al_balad_jeddah_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/historic_houses_of_al_balad_jeddah_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/historic_houses_of_al_balad_jeddah_1-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50cd0f1 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50cd0f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Al Balad Jeddah \u2013 thewanderingquinn.com<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16895d0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"16895d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd7acd7 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd7acd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b style=\"caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><span lang=\"EN-GB\" style=\"font-size: 24pt; line-height: 34.240002px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\">How a Walk Around Al Balad reveals Jeddah\u2019s Rich Architectural Heritage<\/span><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e35997c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e35997c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of cobblestone streets, antiquated coral-stone buildings, lattice-work windows, ornate doors and quintessential Arabic charm and mystery, Al Balad, Jeddah&#8217;s oldest district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can transport you right back in time.<\/p><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5935 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"934\" height=\"530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar1.png 934w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar1-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar1-768x436.png 768w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar1-200x113.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/p><div><i><span lang=\"EN-US\">The oldest mosque in Jeddah, Al Balad<\/span><\/i><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><\/div><div><div><p><span lang=\"EN-GB\">If you&#8217;ve ever wished to travel only to see what life was like hundreds of years ago, it&#8217;s not as impossible as you think. From prehistoric monuments and old neighbourhoods to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/jaipur-rugs-x-vinita-chaitanyas-new-range-of-carpets-revives-ancient-weaving-techniques\/\">ancient<\/a> engineering marvels, several beautiful and enigmatic places preserve the remnants of human history. One of them is Al Balad, Jeddah&#8217;s oldest neighbourhood and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><div><p><span lang=\"EN-GB\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/discover-untold-stories-of-mumbais-historic-khotachiwadi-at-a-new-exhibition-in-girgaum\/\">historic<\/a> crossroads of pilgrims and traders, a major seaport on the Red Sea and a traditional gateway to the holy city of Mecca, Jeddah is one of Saudi Arabia\u2019s most diverse and progressive cities. However, the city&#8217;s historical district Al Balad dates back to the seventh century and has practically remained unchanged over the years.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5936 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"854\" height=\"588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar2.png 854w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar2-300x207.png 300w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar2-768x529.png 768w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar2-200x138.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 854px) 100vw, 854px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>A lane in Al Balad<\/em><\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine an enchanting land straight out of an Arabian folk tale; Al Balad&#8217;s maze-like alleyways are home to souks, mosques, and around 650 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/bengaluru-an-india-modern-villa-inspired-by-traditional-kerala-architecture\/\">traditional<\/a> buildings tightly packed in an area of roughly 2.5 square-kilometres. On a blazing afternoon, we start our walking tour at Bab Jadid, one of the eight main gates of the old wall surrounding the historical district. A few steps further, we notice intricately-designed houses adorned with carved doors and large wooden latticed windows, some of them painted in striking sapphire blue and emerald green. &#8220;A fine representation of traditional Hejazi architecture, most of these structures are ancestral homes founded by wealthy merchant families and built from blocks of coral or Al-Mangabi stones extracted from the Red Sea. Every house is built in a way that its residents can see the main street,&#8221; explains our local guide Abdullah Assiri. We notice that the lines of rocks are separated by pieces of wood or takaleel. According to Abdullah, this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/a-fashion-line-by-architects-anantaya\/\">technique<\/a> helps spread the weight evenly over the walls enabling Hejazi buildings to stand the test of time. The rocks are covered with nourah (plaster) for insulation and aesthetic purposes.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arabs have always been fascinated by abwab (doors) and the countless possibilities that lie behind them. As we move through the old town, we pause to observe ornate doors with floral, elliptical and geometrical patterns.<\/p><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5940 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"862\" height=\"564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar3.png 862w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar3-300x196.png 300w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar3-768x502.png 768w, https:\/\/officialsaff.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gambar3-200x131.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, what we cannot take our eyes off of are the latticed windows reminiscent of the jali screens of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/this-bungalow-in-ajmer-reminds-you-of-old-forts-in-rajasthan\/\">Rajasthan<\/a>. Abdullah was quick to point out that the balconies are a prominent feature of Hejazi architecture and are popularly known as \u201cmashrabiyas\u201d or \u201crawasheens\u201d. An architectural masterpiece, rawasheens keep spaces cool and airy. Back in the day, women would sit in these bay windows and examine their prospective suitors, who would often make a proposal in the majlis (the largest room in an Arab house for receiving and entertaining guests) below. Locals say the term \u201crawasheen\u201d or \u201croshan\u201d was originally derived from the Persian word \u201crosen\u201d meaning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/5-balcony-design-ideas-to-create-a-cozy-outdoor-space-during-the-monsoon\/\">balcony<\/a>, while \u201cmashrabiya\u201d comes from the word \u201cmashrafiya\u201d, meaning \u201cto observe\u201d in Arabic. Some buildings are characterized by vertical rawasheens that extend up to three or four floors, while others contain horizontal ones. What&#8217;s special about these latticework oriel windows is the fact that each one is unique in shape, size, design and colour.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most houses are said to be between 200 and 300 years old, the carbon dating technique recently revealed that some date back almost 1,400 years. &#8220;During the 1960s and 70s, several residents of Al Balad vacated their homes and relocated to newer localities for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/take-a-tour-of-demi-lovatos-trippy-modern-farmhouse\/\">modern<\/a> comforts and conveniences. Gradually, these architectural masterpieces were put to different uses,&#8221; says Abdullah. For example, the historic building Rubat Al Khunji was built in 1813 and originally used as a guesthouse for widowers and single women. After years of being abandoned, it was recently repurposed for cultural exchange and art residency programmes.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the smell of freshly-baked bread, we arrive at the Al Saidi Bakery, a hole-in-the-wall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/this-quaint-patisserie-brings-a-slice-of-paris-to-mumbai\/\">bakeshop<\/a> that has been operational for around a century. For just a few riyals, we get ourselves a paper bag full of warm khoobz and delectable shabora (rusk) straight out of the brick oven to enjoy as we keep moving.<br \/><br \/>Standing elegantly on one of the busy streets, we spot an impressive minaret belonging to the beautifully-maintained Al Shafi Mosque. The Ottoman-style structure is almost 1,400 years old and famous for its huge water tank and marble pillars that are believed to have been brought to Jeddah by traders from Ethiopia.\u00a0<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further ahead, a closer look at the vernacular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/why-the-key-to-sustainable-architecture-is-responsible-design\/\">architecture<\/a> of the Baeshan House, constructed in 1856 as the home for the Baeshen family, reveals exquisite handicrafts, rare photographs and manuscripts. A part of the house has been used for night prayers during Ramadan for over 100 years. This is followed by our next stop, the Nassif House, also referred to as \u201cThe House with the Tree\u201d. It is one of Jeddah&#8217;s best-restored coral houses. Currently a museum, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/the-dying-single-screen-theaters-of-india-are-taking-with-them-her-cultural-heritage\/\">cultural<\/a> centre and library with more than 16,000 books, it was once the family home of Sheikh Omar Effendi Nassif, a wealthy merchant and a former governor of Jeddah. Later, it served as a royal house for King Abdul Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia. Despite being renovated multiple times, the Nassif House museum still retains its Ottoman-style architecture.<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standing in the middle of Dahab Square, one of the main squares of Al Balad, I pause for a moment to soak up the evening atmosphere enlivened by the prayer calls from the mosques. I mull over the importance of preserving Al Balad&#8217;s rich heritage for future <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/story\/an-elegant-mumbai-home-for-three-generations-that-makes-the-most-of-limited-space\/\">generations<\/a>, and how its architecture has preserved its stories quietly through centuries.<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>By <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.architecturaldigest.in\/contributor\/shikha-shah\/\"><em>Shikha Shah<\/em><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Al Balad Jeddah \u2013 thewanderingquinn.com How a Walk Around Al Balad reveals Jeddah\u2019s Rich Architectural Heritage Of cobblestone streets, antiquated coral-stone buildings, lattice-work windows, ornate doors and quintessential Arabic charm and mystery, Al Balad, Jeddah&#8217;s oldest district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can transport you right back in time. \u00a0 The oldest mosque in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5621,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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