What Is the Oldest Street in Jeddah City?

Jeddah dates back to the pre-Islamic era, and during the Islamic era, Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) designated it as the port for Makkah al-Mukarramah in the year 647.

Qabil Street, located in the historical Jeddah area, is considered a prominent street. Since 1940, it has contributed to making Jeddah a city of finance and economy, serving as a witness to the city's transformation and development through its market with small shops.

One of the landmarks of the street is Beit Qabil, built in the heart of the region. Its architecture is so distinctive that art pieces were created to replicate its intricately designed and highly professional Rawasheen (traditional wooden latticed windows). The owner of the house, merchant Suleiman Qabil, succeeded in making the street one of the important streets in Jeddah in terms of its progress and leadership. It was the first street to be equipped with electricity, and its area remains one of the prominent sites in Jeddah due to its rich history and heritage.

Qabil Street amazed its visitors with its shops and stalls, as well as the famous markets of Jeddah that it housed at the time. It was considered an important hub for import and export activities and became a witness to the strategic transformation in economic power and the growth of capital. Qabil Street Market became an addition to the various markets branching out in Jeddah, including al-Nada Market, a rectangular market where different types of food and fabrics were sold and which also housed goods warehouses, and al-Jami' Market, known for al-Shafi'i Mosque.