RIYADH: Ancient wooden doors scattered across the alleys of Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad neighborhood exemplify the traditional architecture of the Hijaz region.
Their beauty has been preserved for centuries, and they have become symbolic of the architectural identity that led to the area joining the UNESCO World Heritage List.
These doors are crafted from teak and walnut wood imported from India and East Africa, renowned for their durability and weatherproof quality.
They are reinforced with large iron nails and adorned with arabesque, geometric, and botanical engravings, reflecting the creativity of local craftspeople in Jeddah who developed this craft generation after generation.
The wooden doors serve multiple architectural functions, according to the Saudi Press Agency, most notably protecting homes from summer heat and providing ventilation through finely decorated openings, in addition to their aesthetic appeal.
Some doors feature double layers: a large outer one for visitors and a smaller one allowing easy entry and exit without opening the main door.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030 efforts to preserve historic Jeddah, dozens of wooden doors have undergone meticulous restoration by specialized artisans using the same original wood, with careful documentation of engravings and decorations to ensure their preservation.
These are testimonies to the evolution of Hijazi society and its adaptation to the environment.
They carry in their engravings stories of trade and seafaring, showing how architecture preserves the identity of a place and the spirit of its people.
Al-Balad is believed to have been inhabited since the era before Islam, according to Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage sources.
Some of the buildings that stand there today were built around 400 years ago.
Old Jeddah includes a number of monuments and heritage buildings such as the Old Jeddah wall and its historical open squares such as Al-Mazloom, Al-Sham, Al-Yemen and Al-Bahr Haras.
The Old Jeddah wall was built to fortify the city from attacks initiated by the Portuguese coming in from the Red Sea, but it was torn down in the 1940s due to urbanization.
