Archaeological Dossier & Curated Editorial
Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad) & The Coral Stone Towers
Founded as a major Red Sea trading hub and historic gateway for maritime pilgrims traveling to Mecca, Al-Balad features tall tower houses constructed from Red Sea coral blocks and reinforced with teak beams. Its distinctive carved wooden oriel windows (Rawashin) provided ocean cross-ventilation while preserving domestic privacy, in an atmosphere rich with fragrant oud and traditional bakeries.
“A UNESCO World Heritage coastal trading port renowned for 19th-century merchant houses with intricate wooden Roshan latticework and vibrant souqs.”
— Tourism Compass Heritage Committee
EraDynastic Era
Duration3 Hours
RegistryUNESCO Sovereign
GeodeticsWGS84 Grid