DIVERSE and energetic Jeddah expects three million tourists for its annual ‘Jeddah is Different' or ‘Jeddah Ghair Summer Festival.' The 45-day summer festival starts July 2. A large proportion of tourists in Jeddah come to perform Umrah as the city serves as a gateway to Makkah and Madina. Jeddah city is home to 11 Saudi and Islamic heritage museums, namely: Abdulraouf Khalil Museum Several large buildings; including a mosque, the front of the citadel, the house of Saudi Arabian Heritage, the House of Islamic Heritage, the House of the International Heritage, and the Public Heritage Exhibition, make up this museum. The buildings are grouped together to form the front of the museum's facade and are designed to enable onlookers to view the external works with ease. The museum consists of 19 units and houses an uninterrupted chain of 15 fountains with a flow of cascading water. Al-Tayebat City Museum This city is considered a university for science and knowledge, showcasing different cultures. The 10,000 square meter area contains 12 buildings fully equipped with state-of-the-art installations, scientific libraries and specialized museums. Wood, gypsum and stonework showcase the ancient architectural style and the layout of the city reflects human activity of the old Jeddah city. Jeddah Science and Technology Museum A scientific and cultural center, the museum's slogan is education through entertainment. The museum reflects the scientific and cultural aspects of spreading knowledge, simplifying global facts and exhibiting the latest technological breakthroughs in the world. According to the most recent study published in 2000, the museum receives 173,425 visitors each year. The Marine Science College Museum This museum consists of a large exhibition hall with both live fish as well as fossilized fish. The College overlooks the Red Sea to assist students in organizing field visits and in conducting academic research. Heritage Art Castle Museum The museum consists of two floors; an annex for a library and houses a collection of Saudi archeological acquisitions. Abdulhalim Radwa Museum The museum consists of a hall for display of plastic art paintings. It houses more than 3500 oil, water, metal and wood paintings by Dr. Abdulhalim Radwa. Dr. Radwa has authored and co-authored several books both in Arabic and English. King Abdulaziz University Museum Consists of two stories and houses some of the possessions of King Abdul Aziz. Khozam Palace Museum The palace was built more than 80 years ago for King Abdul Aziz and exhibits some of his personal belongings as well as items belonging to the First Muslim Caliph Abou Bakr Al-Siddiq. King Saud used it as an administrative office before its conversion into a regional museum. The agreement between the Kingdom and Standard Oil of California for oil prospects was signed on May 29 1933 at this museum. Visitors can enter the museum in the morning every day. Women and female students need to coordinate with Al-Faisaliyah Society to arrange a visit to the museum. Visiting time in the afternoon is 5-7 P.M. Safeyah Bin Zagr Museum The theme of the museum is the preservation and documentation of Saudi heritage, customs and traditions. The museum houses plastic art paintings and eight pavilions. The House of Nassif Archeological Home This house embodies one of the development phases of old architectural design in Jeddah and is one of its leading archeological features. King Abdul Aziz stayed at this house as the guest of Sheikh Omar Afandi Nassif. The tree planted outside the home was planted in 1947 and was one of the first trees ever to be planted in Jeddah. Home Arts Museum The museum was inaugurated between 1997 and 1998 and exhibits creativity in coordinating belongings and colors. The museum houses a number of antiques, some of which dating back 70 years. The Pasha Mosque An archeological museum built by Bakr Pasha who became the Wali (ruler) of Jeddah. Until the year 1988, the mosque had 100 minarets but was later demolished and a new mosque was built in its place. Al-Shafe'i Mosque The mosque consists of a Majles (area for receiving the public) and a prayer area where King Abdul Aziz performed Friday prayers with Jeddah dignitaries. The Mayoralty of Jeddah renovated the mosque's walls and ceilings and restored the old gates. __
