Museums, Jiddah

Composition of the Museum

The museum consists of nineteen units and contains, sideways, fifteen of fountains which are linked by a stream of moving water. The museum is risen high by nine minarets with different heights. The highest is the minaret number 7 located on the bridge connects the third building with the fourth with total height of 8 meters, it consists of three storeys and its design is influenced by the Arabic architectural style.

Composition of the Museum

The museum is composed of major buildings which are the mosque, the front of the castle, the house of Saudi Heritage folklore, the house of Islamic heritage and the house of International heritage. These buildings represented the face of the museum building from the outside which is contained in an outer wall designed to enable the spectator to easily see the external works.

Abdul Raof Khalil's Museum

The heritage and glorious past of a nation is but a reflection of the civilization that had once prevailed throughout that nation. It comes from the power of its roots, nobility, the tools which were the style of life in the past, a behavior, pattern which were lived and practiced. They become now to be known as tradition, past and precious objects and antiquities. The school has substituted what was once called Alkuttab i.e. a lesson circle with one teacher and a variety of subjects or sciences. The small district was changed into a bigger one, attached rooms and houses with villas and high rise buildings. The old districts became to be known as the historical area and an old trace. From here the concept of establishing this museum come into being.

Standing majestically amongst old dilapidated houses is Beit Nassif , a house
built in the 1870s by Nassif family, one of Jeddah’s oldest & most respected merchant clans, it was home to 100 members of the family & their staff.

The building has four storeys at the front & seven at the back, & until the 1970s it was the tallest building in Jeddah. no wonder it dwarfed all the building around it.

King Abdulaziz requisitioned the house in 1925 while his palace was being constructed – hence the name of its location, King Abdul Historical Square. The King & his army were welcomed here by the people of Jeddah on 23 September 1924, celebrated every year since as National Day.

The flag post that stands in the centre of the Square was discovered in a centuries' old Government warehouse on the edge of the city, used for storing food and ammunition and is thought to date from the end of the 7th Century H/13th Century AD. The cannons that stand sentry, were rescued by the Jeddah Historical Area Preservation Department JHAPD from their rather ignominious role of traffic bollards near Bab Sharif. The model and bore of the cannons suggests they were left behind by the retreating Portuguese back in the 16th Century AD.

Now government bought the house & converted it into a museum, now housing an interesting cultural & heritage exhibition.
Open Saturday-Thursday, 0900-1300. Admission free.

Though its stated that you need to get permission to take photograph , a snap or two doesnt really hurt ! But if you wanna feel more comfortable ...go ahead see my next tip.

The Municipality Museum is opposite the National Commercial Bank headquarters in the old city. It is the only remaining building of several which comprised the British Legation in Jeddah during World War I.
Located in a 200-year-old restored traditional house built from Red Sea coral, the museum has interesting photos of the development of Jeddah, along with rooms done up in traditional style.
The museum is open in the mornings from Saturday to Thursday; admission is free but a permit from the Jeddah Municipality is required. Once the permit has been granted, it is still necessary to make an appointment with the curator of the museum.

Lost by a Big Fire in the 10th of june 2002 Abdul raouf Khaleel Museum. It is a lost of so many Arabic, muslim ,European and oriental raare pieces of arts. Lost of Humanity culture and knowledge. My deep condollence to owner Mr Abdulrouf Khaleel
private pieces of arts national pieces of arts

History of jeddah. lobbies or sitting rooms from all Arabisq styles of Arabia. wonderfull external building.

Renovated couple of years back, the AlBalad Museum is right beside the National Commercial Bank.

Tayebat City