A sculpture opposite Bab Jadid in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Men drinking tea in the alleyways of Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. The World Heritage Site was founded in the seventh century and was once the beating heart of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city. The area was formed as an ancient trading port and acted as the primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and are decorated with intricate latticed windows. Reem Mohammed / The National
A resident of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
The small, secluded balconies and windows are known as rawasheen: local stories say that these bay windows were once the place from which women would assess their would-be suitors. Shielded by the wooden shutters, they could see the men proposing marriage in the majlis below, and would decide yes or no, while retaining their privacy. Reem Mohammed / The National
The detail of a historical building in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed/The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
A badge featuring Saudi Arabia's King and Crown Prince worn by an Al Balad resident. Reem Mohammed/The National
Jeddah's Academy of Arts in Al Balad historical district. Reem Mohammed / The National
Idris Mustafa from Sudan looks after Jeddah Academy of Arts in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
A street market near Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. Reem Mohammed/The National
Abu Inabah masjid in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed/The National
You'll find palm trees dotted around the maze-like streets. Reem Mohammed/The National
The area was formed as an ancient trading port and acted as the primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and are decorated with intricate latticed windows. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
The minaret of Masjid Al Farah in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
The town was formed as an ancient trading port and acted as the primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and decorated with intricate latticed windows. Reem Mohammed / The National
A sculpture opposite Bab Jadid in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Men drinking tea in the alleyways of Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. The World Heritage Site was founded in the seventh century and was once the beating heart of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city. The area was formed as an ancient trading port and acted as the primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and are decorated with intricate latticed windows. Reem Mohammed / The National
A resident of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
The small, secluded balconies and windows are known as rawasheen: local stories say that these bay windows were once the place from which women would assess their would-be suitors. Shielded by the wooden shutters, they could see the men proposing marriage in the majlis below, and would decide yes or no, while retaining their privacy. Reem Mohammed / The National
The detail of a historical building in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed/The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
A badge featuring Saudi Arabia's King and Crown Prince worn by an Al Balad resident. Reem Mohammed/The National
Jeddah's Academy of Arts in Al Balad historical district. Reem Mohammed / The National
Idris Mustafa from Sudan looks after Jeddah Academy of Arts in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
A street market near Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. Reem Mohammed/The National
Abu Inabah masjid in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed/The National
You'll find palm trees dotted around the maze-like streets. Reem Mohammed/The National
The area was formed as an ancient trading port and acted as the primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and are decorated with intricate latticed windows. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
The minaret of Masjid Al Farah in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Tea time in the alleyways of Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
The town was formed as an ancient trading port and acted as the primary gateway to Makkah. Today, it is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and decorated with intricate latticed windows. Reem Mohammed / The National
A sculpture opposite Bab Jadid in Al Balad. Reem Mohammed / The National
Al Balad: 18 photos of Jeddah's vibrant historical neighbourhood
It was once the beating heart of Jeddah, and it has retained its charm
