Why Was Historic Jeddah Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Historic Jeddah was inscribed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 2014. It became the third Saudi site to join the list due to its significance as a thriving multicultural center since the seventh century. Historic Jeddah is notable for its distinctive architectural traditions that blend Red Sea coastal styles with modern building techniques, reflecting the area's commercial prosperity in the region at that time. This is evident in the houses and towers built by the city's merchants in the late nineteenth century, many of which still retain their original identity.

Located on the eastern coast of the Red Sea, Historic Jeddah was established as a primary port for trade routes in the Indian Ocean, facilitating the transport of goods to Makkah al-Mukarramah. It also served as the gateway for pilgrims arriving by sea to Makkah al-Mukarramah.