The five-day event has been organized by the Jeddah municipality in conjunction with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. “The Jeddah Architectural Heritage Exhibition coincides with the First International Conference on Urban Heritage in Islamic Countries that is to open in Riyadh on Sunday and is sponsored by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah,” said Adnan Adas, director of Historical Jeddah Urban Regeneration and Development.
The exhibition, which is open to the public, is to highlight the city’s architectural heritage. The event includes lectures and presentations; it will also include sections in which handcrafts and popular foods will be on display.
“One of the important characteristic of this event is that it will be held in historical buildings that have been restored through latest restoration technology. The city’s historical district has about 400 historical buildings that can be restored,” said Adas. “The maintenance of Jeddah’s historical area and restoring it is not only to preserve architectural heritage but to also emphasize and assert the city’s identity,” he added.
Exhibits will be held at various homes in the region including Naseef House (Bait Naseef), Bait Abu Safiya and Bait Bassiouni. Restoration work in the area cost over SR9 million.
