The 106-room Nassif House is one of Balad’s most magnificent old mansions. It was recently restored and now serves as a museum and cultural center. Construction for this house began in 1872 and was completed in 1881. According to one writer, “they used trained camels to go up and down the five floors of the building, carrying goods, especially to the kitchen on the fourth floor. The stairway is, in reality, a ramp with spaced crossbeams, convenient for both man and beast to walk on.” http://www.saudicaves.com/saudi/oldjeddah.html

Nassif House appeared to be closed when we were there, and in fact we didn’t actually realize what it was at the time although I had read about it (but thought it was a different building since I couldn’t read the signs). Something else to visit when we return.