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.
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Address: Downtown Jiddah
Directions: Halfway up Al Alawi St on the right.
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on Aug 22, 2004
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