A Digital Gateway to an Ancient City
In a pioneering step to celebrate its cultural heritage, Saudi Arabia has launched a new digital platform for Historic Jeddah in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture.
This first-of-its-kind initiative transforms the UNESCO World Heritage Site into a global virtual destination, aligning with the modernization goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Through immersive digital technology, the project aims to preserve and promote the city’s unique history, making it easily accessible to tourists, researchers, and culture enthusiasts worldwide.
Blending Technology with Heritage
The new platform introduces innovative tools for deeper exploration.
Visitors can take virtual tours of iconic landmarks like Beit Jokhdar Hotel and Bayt Nassif, or explore the historic district through AI-powered walking experiences.
More than thirty immersive stories bring the city’s heritage to life, revealing the hidden tales behind Jeddah’s ancient streets. This digital transformation ensures that the city’s architectural and cultural legacy, long celebrated as the gateway to Mecca, is not just preserved—but vividly shared with the world.
A Pillar of Vision 2030
This collaboration stands as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s broader national strategy, aligning closely with the goals of Vision 2030.
The program emphasizes cultural preservation and global connectivity as key drivers shaping the Kingdom’s future.
By digitizing Historic Jeddah, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is expanding the nation’s cultural reach and integrating it into the global tourism ecosystem.
The project goes beyond traditional preservation — it seeks to attract digital visitors and inspire a deeper international appreciation of Saudi heritage.
Reshaping Global Cultural Tourism
The initiative represents a significant step in reshaping how cultural heritage is conserved and shared. By utilizing cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence and interactive storytelling, Saudi Arabia is ensuring that a new generation can engage with its history. Historic Jeddah, with its blend of Hejazi architecture and rich history as a trading crossroads, is now poised to thrive in the digital age, cementing its status as a must-experience destination for global citizens.
Saudi Arabia’s New Airline, Riyadh Air, Sets Maiden Flight to London
Saudi Arabia Introduces New Licensing System to Streamline Pilgrim Accommodations
Ithra’s Literary Oasis Enriches Riyadh International Book Fair
