The historic district of Al Balad in Jeddah — in pictures

The area is famous for its traditional buildings

Visitors are taken on a tour of Jeddah's Al Balad district in Saudi Arabia. All photos: Reuters

The district was founded in the seventh century and was once the beating heart of Saudi Arabia's second-largest city

A man reads the news on his smartphone in one of the old houses in Al Balad district

The district is famous for its traditional buildings, which were constructed with coral-stone and decorated with intricate latticed windows

Al Balad put Jeddah on the map as an ancient trading port and the primary gateway to Makkah

The district's Al Dahab Street was once the only way for pilgrims to reach Makkah

Saudis take tea in Al Balad district

Al Balad's fascinating rabbit warren of streets are more easily navigated when you know what you are looking for

The district is home to Bait Nassif, one of Al Balad's most important buildings

Bait Nassif is where King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, stayed for three years when he was in Jeddah

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