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Photo by @jz_photography_art

Jeddah is famous for its Roshan windows (Rawashin in plural), which are raised wooden windows with decorated surfaces. They became an emblem of the Hijazi architecture style, which is very dominant in the old town buildings. It is almost impossible to think of Historic Jeddah without picturing those Roshans.

So what’s the history of Rawashin?
Roshan windows came to Jeddah during the Abbassid period and flourished in the Ottoman era. The word “Roshan” is a Persian word derived from “Rosen” which means a balcony or light.

Not only that they give a beautiful design to buildings, but they are also beneficial for the hot climate. Those wooden windows act as a natural air-conditioner as they moderate the heat.