From King Abdulaziz's 1946 Voyage to the Red Sea Museum: Bab Al-Bunt Chronicles Jeddah's Maritime History
Jeddah, September 29, 2026, SPA -- As part of this year's Saudi National Day celebrations, Jeddah is recalling the role of its historic Bab Al-Bunt building as the Kingdom's maritime gateway and the departure point for King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud's 1946 sea voyage to Egypt, on which he was accompanied by several of his sons and senior officials.
Residents gathered at Bab Al-Bunt in Historic Jeddah to bid the King farewell and gave him a similar welcome when he returned by the same route. The reception committee of the time then named the square in front of the quarantine, customs, and post office buildings King Abdulaziz Square, and the road leading to it King Abdulaziz Street.
During that period, Jeddah Port was developed on the King's orders. The work covered three key facilities: a large offshore pier known as Al-Iskala, the quarantine building (Al-Karantina), and the Pilgrims' Customs, which was housed in the Bab Al-Bunt building.
Spanning more than 2,000 square meters over two floors and built of coral stone, Bab Al-Bunt is one of Jeddah's oldest surviving structures and retains many of its original architectural features. In 2025, following a sustainable restoration under the Quality of Life Program to advance Saudi Vision 2030 goals, it reopened as the Red Sea Museum, restoring its role as a gateway connecting Jeddah to the world.
The museum features more than 1,000 artifacts and artworks organized into seven thematic sections. The exhibits combine historical narratives with interactive experiences to explore the evolution of Bab Al-Bunt, the origins and cultural significance of the Red Sea, its environmental diversity, and the heritage of the coastal communities linked to it.
From the King's historic voyage to its new life as a museum, the site reflects Jeddah's enduring relationship with the sea and preserves a chapter of the nation's history for future generations.