• A pilgrim from Senegal walks past a poster depicting the former and present king of Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince and the Defence Minister along a street of Souk Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah. Many shops sell gold, incense and souvenir goods for visitors who stop there on their way to the Haj pilgrimage.
    A pilgrim from Senegal walks past a poster depicting the former and present king of Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince and the Defence Minister along a street of Souk Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah. Many shops sell gold, incense and souvenir goods for visitors who stop there on their way to the Haj pilgrimage.
  • An old man sits near an old building on a street of Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah. Balad was nominated by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities to be part of the Unesco Heritage Sites and it was accepted in 2014.
    An old man sits near an old building on a street of Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah. Balad was nominated by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities to be part of the Unesco Heritage Sites and it was accepted in 2014.
  • Women buy gold jewelry at the Gold Souk of Balad. Jeddah has a small patch of its old town centre still standing.
    Women buy gold jewelry at the Gold Souk of Balad. Jeddah has a small patch of its old town centre still standing.
  • Saudis stroll along a street with decorations for the upcoming Eid Al Adha feast in the Souk of Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah.
    Saudis stroll along a street with decorations for the upcoming Eid Al Adha feast in the Souk of Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah.
  • Gold jewelry is displayed at a shop of the Gold Market in Balad. Many of the buildings date back to the 17th century, and Balad was nominated by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities to be part of the Unesco Heritage Sites.
    Gold jewelry is displayed at a shop of the Gold Market in Balad. Many of the buildings date back to the 17th century, and Balad was nominated by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities to be part of the Unesco Heritage Sites.
  • A salesman displays a gold necklace for a customer at a jewelry shop in the gold market of Souk Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah. Most of its original inhabitants left the city centre in the 70s when the oil prices soared.
    A salesman displays a gold necklace for a customer at a jewelry shop in the gold market of Souk Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah. Most of its original inhabitants left the city centre in the 70s when the oil prices soared.
  • Saudis stroll along a street in Balad. Many shops sell gold, incense and souvenir goods for visitors who stop there on their way to the Haj pilgrimage.
    Saudis stroll along a street in Balad. Many shops sell gold, incense and souvenir goods for visitors who stop there on their way to the Haj pilgrimage.
  • Saudi salesmen wait for customers at a street of Souk Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah.
    Saudi salesmen wait for customers at a street of Souk Balad, which used to be the old city centre of Jeddah.

World

Shopping for gold in Saudi Arabia ahead of Eid Al Adha - in pictures

Rob Gurdebeke

September 22, 2015

  • English
  • Arabic

Balad used to be the old city centre of Jeddah and a small patch of the past is still standing. Balad is made up of buildings dating back to the 17th century, with many shops selling gold, incense and souvenir goods for visitors who stop there on their way to the Haj pilgrimage. All photos: Amel Pain / EPA

JeddahSaudi ArabiaEid Al Adha 2025Gold