Historic Jeddah Museum Highlights Rare Coral Prayer Beads of the Red Sea

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
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Historic Jeddah Museum Highlights Rare Coral Prayer Beads of the Red Sea

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA
Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts - SPA

Yusr prayer beads shine at the Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah as one of the top handicraft pieces, combining spiritual depth and aesthetic richness, reflecting the extension of local maritime heritage and its creative transformations.

These beads are traditionally made from “yusr,” a rare type of black coral associated with Red Sea crafts, distinguished by its dark color and polished luster. Some pieces are inlaid with silver or amber, demonstrating the precision of craftsmanship and the continuity of artisanal skill across generations, SPA reported.

These handicrafts draw the attention of visitors in the museum’s halls with their fine details as artistic works inspired by elements of the marine environment and reimagined in contemporary creative forms.

Prayer beads of various types have long been part of the tradition of acquiring Makkah souvenirs and gifts, historically associated with Hajj and Umrah journeys, serving as tokens of affection carried by visitors to their families and friends.

The Red Sea Museum continues to offer an integrated cultural experience through its exhibits that showcase the richness of the Kingdom’s maritime heritage and contribute to promoting cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange.

This is part of ongoing efforts to revive Historic Jeddah and reinforce its status as a global cultural destination, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, reflecting a national commitment to preserving heritage and enriching the cultural landscape.



Saudi Heritage Commission Discovers Abbasid-Era Gold Jewelry in Qassim

The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
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Saudi Heritage Commission Discovers Abbasid-Era Gold Jewelry in Qassim

The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
The Saudi Heritage Commission logo

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission announced the discovery of a collection of Abbasid-era gold jewelry at the archaeological site of Diriyyah in Qassim Region during the fourth season of excavation and survey work.

The discovery includes 100 gold pieces adorned with floral and geometric motifs, along with architectural remains from the Abbasid period, including stone foundations, mud walls, pottery, and metal tools.

The findings indicate human settlement dating back to the late third century AH and highlight the site’s historical importance along pilgrimage and trade routes.

The discovery reflects the Heritage Commission’s ongoing efforts to document and preserve the Kingdom’s archaeological heritage, supporting cultural development goals aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.


Jeddah’s House of Islamic Arts Marks International Museum Day 2026

The House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah marked International Museum Day 2026 with a special exhibition offering visitors a cultural journey into the past. (SPA)
The House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah marked International Museum Day 2026 with a special exhibition offering visitors a cultural journey into the past. (SPA)
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Jeddah’s House of Islamic Arts Marks International Museum Day 2026

The House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah marked International Museum Day 2026 with a special exhibition offering visitors a cultural journey into the past. (SPA)
The House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah marked International Museum Day 2026 with a special exhibition offering visitors a cultural journey into the past. (SPA)

The House of Islamic Arts in Jeddah marked International Museum Day 2026 with a special exhibition offering visitors a cultural journey into the past.

The exhibition showcased aspects of traditional life and reflected the atmosphere of old homes through rare collectibles and personal items contributed by collectors and heritage enthusiasts from within the Kingdom and abroad, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Through several interactive stations, the exhibition highlighted social life inside traditional homes, featuring settings inspired by majlis gatherings, evening social events, home interiors, and offices, alongside collectibles, furniture, and memorabilia associated with daily life and social traditions of the past.

The exhibition included collectibles representing diverse cultures and artistic styles, featuring rare Arab and European pieces, vintage devices, classic furniture, paintings, antiques, and personal household items displayed by their owners as reflections of the memories of people and places.

The exhibition is part of the events celebrating International Museum Day 2026, which aim to highlight the role of museums in preserving heritage and promoting cultural dialogue through interactive experiences that connect generations with their history and shared memory.


Private Museums in Jazan Offer a Window into the Region's Cultural Past

A number of private museum owners in Jazan stressed that these museums are no longer limited to preserving and displaying heritage collections - SPA
A number of private museum owners in Jazan stressed that these museums are no longer limited to preserving and displaying heritage collections - SPA
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Private Museums in Jazan Offer a Window into the Region's Cultural Past

A number of private museum owners in Jazan stressed that these museums are no longer limited to preserving and displaying heritage collections - SPA
A number of private museum owners in Jazan stressed that these museums are no longer limited to preserving and displaying heritage collections - SPA

Private museums in Jazan Region are reintroducing local memory through a contemporary cultural vision by preserving collections and artifacts documenting features of old life and bringing details of the past closer to new generations while also enhancing tourist attraction and enriching visitors’ knowledge experience.

As the world celebrates International Museum Day, observed on May 18 each year, these museums emerge as cultural spaces combining documentation and exhibition, allowing visitors to move through different eras, from daily life tools that shaped the details of old homes to collections associated with agriculture, the sea, crafts, and travel, reaching heritage artifacts and coins that reveal the depth of the relationship between humans and their environment throughout the ages, SPA reported.

A number of private museum owners in Jazan stressed that these museums are no longer limited to preserving and displaying heritage collections, but also enhance awareness of local heritage and convey details of old life to new generations through methods that are closer and more interactive. They noted that the increasing presence of heritage enthusiasts and visitors has contributed to transforming the museum into a space for learning and discovering the history of the place through its authentic collections.

With growing national interest in preserving cultural heritage and enhancing the presence of licensed museums within the cultural landscape, these destinations have become part of the tourism and knowledge movement in Jazan Region, receiving history enthusiasts, researchers, students, and visitors as windows overlooking a history that is not read in books alone, but seen in objects and collections that remained witnesses to the life of humans and place.