Founded in the 7th century and notable for its distinctive coral-stone architecture, it was largely abandoned in the 1970s and 1980s as Jeddawis newly wealthy from oil moved to Riyadh and elsewhere to escape a city perceived as limiting and unfashionable. Instead, poor immigrants moved in and Al-Balad became fairly delapidated, despite being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. But signs of renewal are afoot, as some 56 buildings are being renovated and a number are open to visitors, such as Al-Shafi’i Mosque, Matbouli House, Nassif House, and Sharbatly House.  

Read more in Tripatini contributor Muminah Tannous´s post Saudi Arabia´s Top 9 Destinations.

Francisco Anzola