Old Carved Wooden Door in Al Balad

The oldest part of the city of Jeddah is called Al Balad, which in Arabic simply means the town.  It is comprised of crowded narrow streets and alleyways, with most buildings at least four stories tall.  The interesting architectural details abound, with such things as archways, carvings, and mosaics. The old carved wooden door in this photo is one example of the amazing detail that made Al Balad so special in its day.  I believe the circular opening above the doorway provided ventilation, a very important consideration for buildings in Jeddah because of the torturous heat.