The Saudi Ministry of Culture has announced a collaboration with Google Arts & Culture to launch an official page dedicated to Historic Jeddah, one of Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The initiative aims to leverage modern digital technologies to highlight the cultural and historical significance of the district. The announcement was made during the Cultural Investment Conference held in Riyadh.
The dedicated page, titled ‘Explore Historic Jeddah’, showcases more than thirty stories about Jeddah’s rich history and includes immersive online tours of notable sites within the district, such as Beit Jokhdar Hotel, Bayt Nassif, the Tariq Abdulhakim Museum, and Al-Shafi’i Mosque. The platform also introduces AI-powered walking tours, offering a unique virtual exploration of the Historic Jeddah area.
Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Issa, Director General of the Historic Jeddah District, said that the launch represents a significant step in presenting the district to a global audience: “Through modern technologies, we have been able to showcase the heritage of Historic Jeddah to millions of virtual visitors and highlight its civilizational value, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s aim to safeguard cultural heritage and promote it as a key driver of national development.”
Amit Sood, Director and Founder of Google Arts & Culture, commented: “We are very excited to announce our first collaboration in Saudi Arabia which allows people to experience Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, virtually for the first time with immersive stories and leveraging Google AI. We are deeply committed to working with more Saudi cultural institutions to ensure we preserve the Kingdom’s heritage, and share it widely with a global audience.”
The launch of the ‘Explore Historic Jeddah’ page on Google Arts & Culture reflects the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to building strategic international partnerships. It aims to enhance the global presence of Saudi heritage, archaeological landmarks, and historic sites, sharing the stories of the Kingdom’s rich history and cultural legacy with audiences worldwide.