The City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, traces its history back to about 500 BC as a small fishing village along the Red Sea. Because of its location, Jeddah became the most important commercial center of the region. It is close to Makkah, the holiest city of Islam, and is considered to be the Gateway to Makkah. Millions of religious pilgrims visit the country every year to see Makkah and Madinah, also close by, and most of the pilgrims arrive and leave from Jeddah. Its important strategic position on the Red Sea for trade and tourism has caused the city to be a target for invaders. Consequently during its history, a huge wall was built encircling the whole city for protection against outsiders. There were also several gates along the wall where people could enter and leave the city. These gates were closed at night and no one was allowed in or out. Once oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia, the dynamics of Jeddah changed and grew rapidly. The expansion required that the walls and gates be removed to make room for the new growth. Today’s photo features one of several replicas of the old gates of Jeddah that were built as a nod to the city’s history. The large photo above the gate is an old picture of the first king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdul-Aziz, who died in 1953. He had many wives and produced many heirs to the throne. Every succeeding king of modern Saudi Arabia has been a son of King Abdul-Aziz.
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I am an American woman. I met my husband more than 30 years ago when we were both college students in Arizona. So after all that time in the states, my hubby desired to move back to his native home of Saudi Arabia. I've been in Jeddah now since October 2007. My new home is amazing: interesting, fascinating, and colorful. The people are warm, courteous and as interested in me as I am in them, however they highly regard their privacy. My camera goes with me every time I step out the door - I don't want to miss a thing!
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It must have been beautiful. Wish they could have kept the real thing and just built around it.
The original would be better but a least this is a nod to history!
This is a beautiful “doorway”.
A unique, important doorway/gateway indeed! Nice snap for theme day!
I like your new blog front page header photo of camels!
This is a charmless attempt at replicating an ancient gate.
There have been a few articles in the NY times about the Saudi efforts to destroy their own history. This so called replica is truly dishonorable. Is anyone in KSA fooled by this. It isn’t even a replica is it an embarrassment.
Many of this country’s historical sites have been destroyed or allowed to be ravaged by the ruling family. From what I gather, they are of the opinion that KSA’s history started when the Sauds took power, and anything that happened before that time, they want erased or forgotten. It is sad that they don’t recognise the significance of the area’s prior history and haven’t taken much action to preserve more of the historical remnants of this part of the world. I don’t know if it’s just plain arrogance or ignorance…
growing up i always thought it was just moved from its original place, as far as i know there use to be three or four of these i hope someone corrects me if im wrong, now there is one in the old city ether where it originally was or close to it, then there is one out side of jeddah on the way to the airport. i think this is the one close to the airport.
That is one very big, very special “door.”
a very impressive doorway