Corners of Al-Ballad Jeddah Tells a Kinescope of Ancient History and Folk Tales

Jeddah is quite famous in Saudi for its lovely view of the red sea, but it also holds its ground with having a memorable ancient history and passed through many civilizations, many of its tourist attractions and archaeological sites bear witness to the rich history it has got, if that wind can talk, it will whistle many tales of people who are no longer alive but surely existed at one point in the historical timeline of Jeddah, at least the stunning architectural sites did not fade away as its owners did.

One of the most known locations that hold its ground-up high when it comes to telling the history of Jeddah is Al-Balad, so in this article, we will take you back in a journey through time to tell you the tales and the history behind this area that gave birth to prominent tourists attractions moreover told stories of many family heritages that are still alive in the hearts of the people who reside in Jeddah Al-Balad.

History of Jeddah Al-Balad 

Jeddah Al-Balad is located in the city center of Jeddah and it is dated back to pre-Islamic times, making it one of the most ancient historical points in the history of Saudi Arabia, Al Balad Jeddah was classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO for the year 2014, it has several well-known historical monuments, including the old lanes such as Al-Mazloum neighborhood, Al-Sham neighborhood and Al-Yaman neighborhood, as well as the historical Jeddah wall, Al Balad markets, and historical mosques.

In 2018 King Salman bin Abdulaziz ordered a project of restoration of 56 buildings at a value of 50 million SAR.

Today we will introduce you to the distinctive historical market of Al-Balad, Jeddah, and also tell you the story regarding Nassif House, and mention several well-known famous mosques of the country so keep on reading.

Jeddah Al-Balad historical markets

The Bedouin Market

This market is known as the Bedouin Market. The Bedouins in the past used to buy their needs for food, gold, and silver. Among the most famous goods that have been sold in the Bedouin market since ancient times until now are cardamom and grains, and many pilgrims flock to the market to get their goods for good prices and amazing quality, not only the local population. 

Here you can find many tailors, textiles, and accessories in the market that were imported from India, China, and Pakistan that are decorated with the most beautiful colors, jewelry, and rare yarns.

You can visit the Bedouin market and listen to the history of Jeddah Al-Balad old shop owners there and the old Saudi folks who still live in that part of Jeddah.

Souq Al-Alawi 

Souq Al-Alawi market is one of the oldest markets in Jeddah and is overlooked by many old houses that stand witness to AlNajd civilization, such as the houses of Nassif and the Matbouli.

This market is characterized by the presence of the most renowned perfumers and spice dealers in Jeddah where you will notice the smell of spices And herbs that roams around the place, and you can shop a lot of food items, spices, grains, and clothes weaved in traditional techniques, which are sold for a low price yet has got high quality.

Souq Qabil 

This market is located in Gabel Street, and it is named after its owner, who was one of the largest merchants in Jeddah in the past. You can find many popular shops and establishments in it, which tell their stories of Jeddah’s history, and you can also shop from the stores in it and enjoy buying various goods that you will not find elsewhere.

Souq Al-Nada

Al-Nada is considered one of the oldest markets in Jeddah, as it has a story over 150 years ago.

 It also displays popular foods, fresh fish and mandi restaurants, men’s fabrics, shoes, and bed covers. It also includes 500 commercial outlets of different sizes, roadside stalls, the oldest exchange shops, and gold shops. It is most famous for its shoe shops.

As for its location, it extends from the Al-Basha Mosque to the Amara mosque, and in the past, it was famous for holding a marketplace for tailors, hairdressers, and libraries. Bedouins used to sell firewood in it.

Minarets and historical mosques in Jeddah Al-Balad

Al-Shafi’i Mosque

Al-Shafi’i mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Jeddah Al-Balad, where its minaret was built in the seventh century, what distinguishes it, is its various architectural features, as its main plan is square, and in the middle is an open courtyard for ventilation, it is the oldest also a historical and religious landmark.

It was restored and maintained so that it remains as it is today.

• Location: Al-Mazloum Street, in Al-Jamia Market.

Othman bin Affan

Othman bin Affan mosque has a long history, and it has another name, as it was known as the ebony mosque, and Ibn Battuta and Ibn Jabir mentioned it in their trips, as there are two masts in this mosque were built of ebony wood, and the minaret of this mosque was one of the largest in the history of its construction and his era, that is, between the ninth and tenth Hijri century.

• Location: Al Mazloum Lane, Jeddah.

More historical mosques in Al-Balad Jeddah

• Akash mosque
• Mosque Al-Mimar
• Mosque Al-Basha
• Mosque Al-Rahma
• Mosque King Saud
• Mosque Al-Juffali Mosque

A story narrated by Bait Nassif in Al-Balad Jeddah

At the end of our article, we arrive at the best part around it, which is the historic Nassif House, which is one of the most famous landmarks in it, dating back to its construction It took 4 years to build this house, by its owner Sheikh Omar Effendi Nassif, and 

This house has an important history, as it is one of the first houses built during the Hijaz era in the Ottoman style, furthermore it was a residence for many kings and princes, where the late King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud lived for 10 years.

But the most prominent feature that distinguishes it is its architectural style, the following explains the most important aspects of its architecture.

The architecture of Nassif House Jeddah

• Architectural style
  • Ottoman style.
• House area
  •  900 square meters.
• Building materials used
  • Stones.
  • Wood imported from India and Indonesia.
  • English wood from an old sunken ship that sunk in the red sea near Jeddah shores.
• The main floors of the house are divided into:
  • 4 floors, with 40 rooms, It has a Turkish bath.
  • The first floor is for guests.
  • The second floor is designed for the guests’ bedrooms.
  • The third floor was for Nassifs’ family.
  • The fourth floor was a summer resort. It had many architectural elements and openings that allowed the entry of cold air currents and the exit of hot air currents to keep the house colder during hot summer times.
• The important architectural elements in its construction were:
  • Mashrabiyas helped with the formation of light and shade, and the flow of air in summer and winter as well as giving privacy to the spaces.
  • High ceilings that facilitate ventilation processes.
  • Alrouachin
  • The staircase that allowed camels and horses to enter up to the roof of the house, was built wide and thick.
  • Thick stone walls, which absorb the heat less than other materials, therefore go along with the regions and countries’ hot climate.

Al-Balad market and the center of Jeddah will always tell tales of the older generations, this is not the only article we have surrounding Jeddah, you can check out the following articles to know more about Jeddah, such as Splash away your worries with Dolphins and water life at Fakieh Aquarium, as well as Architectural Styles of Saudi Arabia – Between glimpses of the past and the rays of the future, and more on our Bayut KSA blog.

If you have any questions or got any suggestions please feel free to leave us a comment in the comments section below, and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.