The Gate of Gates

An enchanting visual journey through one of the most iconic edifices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Bab Al-Bunt heritage building.

Located in Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of Jeddah, Bab Al-Bunt was once vibrant with life. Until the 1950s, it served at the city’s customhouse, in Jeddah’s capacity as the Red Sea’s main port. For decades, this magnificent building also represented the main gateway through the Red Sea for millions of Muslim believers from around the world who travelled to Mecca to perform their pilgrimage, turning Jeddah into the gateway to Mecca.

In order to celebrate and preserve this building’s unique historical and architectural value, the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia turned Bab Al-Bunt into a major cultural and artistic destination: the Red Sea Museum. With its rare collection of books, maps, photographs, historical artifacts, and contemporary artworks, the museum represents a cultural and historical window into the aesthetic and heritage values of the Red Sea coastal cities. The Gate of Gates is the catalogue of the Red Sea Museum’s inaugural exhibition. Curated by famous writer Philippe Cardinal, the exhibit showcases a unique collection of photographs by renowned Saudi artist Moath Alofi, that revives the soul of this magnificent building, rich in history and memory.