Revitalization Of Historic Jeddah: Ministry Of Culture Reports Significant Achievements In 2024

The Ministry of Culture has shared a detailed overview of its 2024 achievements under the "Revitalization of Historic Jeddah" project, initiated in 2021. This initiative is part of the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The project aims to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of the historic district.

In urban heritage preservation, significant progress was made with the restoration of 27 historic buildings. Additionally, 10 more were rehabilitated, and support was provided to save 39 others. These efforts have strengthened the architectural integrity and historical character of the area. The opening of three heritage hotels marked a key development, offering luxurious stays in restored structures.

The broader plan includes converting 34 heritage buildings into boutique hotels. Noteworthy archaeological finds in 2024 highlighted the region's historical significance. Excavations uncovered Ceylonese wood from the first century AH (seventh century AD) on two pillars at the Uthman Bin Affan Mosque's mihrab.

A fragment of a ceramic vessel from the 13th century AD was also discovered, underscoring Jeddah's role as a vital port and trading hub with the Far East. The Ministry completed phase one of the Al-Arbaeen Lagoon Waterfront Development Project by removing outdated infrastructure. This sets the stage for phase two, which will restore sea access to Al-Bunt Port.

Efforts included landscaping 90,000 square meters of green space to enhance visual appeal and environmental quality. To improve public services like waste management and maintenance, 110 pieces of equipment were deployed across a 6-square-kilometer area.

Cultural Initiatives

Culturally, 2024 saw significant events such as the Red Sea International Film Festival debuting at Culture Square. Two major institutions opened: teamLab Borderless museum and Performing Arts and Cinema Center, offering immersive experiences blending traditional and contemporary art forms.

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts also opened to promote local craftsmanship and empower young artists in heritage preservation efforts. Complementing this was "Irth," a store and café combining cultural engagement with entertainment.

Strategic Developments

Strategic development was enhanced through six new partnership agreements that improved sustainability and long-term viability for the district. To boost digital accessibility, a dedicated website was launched to guide visitors through Historic Jeddah's landmarks, events, and services.

To foster national pride among youth about heritage value, over 140 school and university field trips were organized for 2,100 students. Additionally, 500,000 visitor maps were distributed to facilitate exploration.

Tourism Boost

The revitalization efforts significantly increased tourism in 2024 with over 5.7 million visitors attracted to Historic Jeddah; notably, 2.5 million visited during Ramadan alone.

With inputs from SPA