Jeddah Historic District Marks a Decade Since Its UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation

This year, the Jeddah Historic District program, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, celebrates the tenth anniversary of its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The program continues its efforts to revive the district, preserve its cultural and urban heritage, and transform it into a global heritage destination in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
According to the program, the Jeddah Historic District spans 2.5 square kilometers and is known for its unique architectural features, urban layout, and rich cultural heritage. Positioned on the Red Sea coast, it has been a significant port for pilgrims travelling to Makkah since the seventh century. It has also functioned as a crucial hub for global trade between Asia and Africa, fostering cultural and economic exchange.
The program noted that the district includes more than 650 heritage buildings, five historical main markets, several historical mosques, and one historical school.
The inclusion of the Jeddah Historic District on the UNESCO World Heritage List was based on its fulfilment of three key criteria for classifying historical areas. These criteria highlighted the region's significance in facilitating the exchange of human values over time or within a cultural sphere, its status as a prominent example of a particular architectural style or technology that reflects significant stages in human history, and its association with living traditions, ideas, beliefs, and works of art and literature that hold exceptional global importance.