In decades long past, the Red Sea met the shore near Jeddah's masonry houses and residents heard waves crashing as the water reached what is now the beginning of King Abdul Aziz Street, where men set sail for work and pilgrim ships landed. It was the late King Abdul Aziz who ordered construction of the dock, which stood opposite the Al-Bunt Building and extended from the Post Office Building to Bugshan Center. During those days, it was common to hear Jeddah residents say, “Take your luggage and head for Al-Bunt” (Afshak wal Bunt). The expression reflected both the challenge of the area having few opportunities and the opportunity to make money working on ships or working in a distant land. Those journeys, which took men away from their children and families for months, continued until Allah opened the doors of bounties for this country during the era of late King Abdul Aziz. The expression “Afshak wal Bunt” became part of stories fathers told their sons about days of hardship they endured and their adventures on the seas. Today, these tales have become memories wherein pain and struggle are mixed with joy and success. A museum in the old building will tell those stories, those of Haj pilgrims who arrived there, and the changes and culture that came with people who arrived and departed. As Al-Bunt grew as a departure point, it received various types of ships and sailing boats that brought all kinds of goods, along with pilgrims from several countries who traveled on to Makkah to perform the Haj rites. Small boats used to transport pilgrims from their ships to the building where doctors checked them to ensure they were free from contagious diseases. The complex was expanded to add a separate building to house pilgrims who were quarantined for medical reasons. Once they were checked and their health was ensured, pilgrims traveled to Makkah on camels or in cars during the late period of unifying the Kingdom. The port became famous in 1945 when the late King Abdul Aziz and several of his sons traveled from it on his famous, month-long sea voyage, which was the first for the unifier of this country. During the voyage, King Abdul Aziz met with King Farouq, who ruled Egypt; British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill; and US President Franklin Roosevelt. Sami Nawar, Director of the Culture and Tourism Administration in Jeddah Mayoralty, recalled that when King Abdul Aziz saw that the place where pilgrims arrived was only sand and salt flats, he ordered the construction of the dock. What was locally referred to as “Al-Askah” was the city's first dock of its kind, built when the sea reached what is now Al-Mahmal Center, on King Abdul Aziz Street. Later it was demolished as part of the city's expansion project and the port was relocated to its present location. Al-Bunt, constructed more than 140 years ago, is one of the oldest buildings in Jeddah. Its walls were built of Al-Mangabi rocks and the roof was fashioned from reinforced iron bars. The two-floor structure stands steadfastly, surrounded by concrete buildings. People who pass through the area will not notice it until they come closer; it hides in the shadow of Al-Mahmal Shopping Center, which is more than 20 floors high. The building's exterior and interior have undergone very few changes; the structure stands as a living example of the buildings and distinctive architectural style this city used to enjoy. Interior walls were decorated with Islamic inscriptions and verses of the Holy Qur'an. Arches and pillars were used to decorate the entrances and corridors. The first floor of Al-Bunt, which covers almost 1,000 sq. meters, is largely made up of spacious halls where pilgrims were received and checked. Doctors and employees used ten different-sized rooms on either side of the main areas. The upper floor is made up of 16 rooms that served different purposes. The Jeddah Mayoralty recently converted Al-Bunt into a museum that showcases the old seafaring ways, the site's role in receiving Haj pilgrims and numerous aspects of art and cultural heritage that distinguish the Western Region. Nawar said Al-Bunt Museum will display oil paintings by the artist Vasarely, sets of furniture studded with gem stones, shells and bones; copper utensils used in daily life, colored copper vases and other items related to life in distant times. Displays will acquaint its visitors with Jeddah's importance as the gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a center for cultural and social interaction. It will also emphasize the importance of Haj and its role in enriching culture and developing Jeddah and its trades. Interactive screens will show the Haj rites and different methods of carrying out Haj. Visitors will be able to choose a route to follow and stop at stations where they can learn more, he said. Nawar said the Al-Bunt Museum will also display ships and boats from past eras, both small models and full-size vessels, along with tools of the trade. Documentary films will be shown and pictures of ships and boats, their construction, raw materials and the life of the seamen will be displayed on small, interactive screens. One hall will display trades related to the Haj such as making rosaries and carpets and rare items pilgrims brought over the years – including textiles, carpets, currency, souvenirs, handwritten copies of the Holy Qur'an and Kiswa of the Holy Ka'ba.
