Dareen and Tarout Island's Historic Houses Preserve Eastern Region's Maritime Heritage

 The old houses of Dareen and Tarout Island in Eastern Region are distinguished by their artistic decorations and inscriptions, which reflect the island's rich cultural heritage as well as the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of its inhabitants, shaped by agriculture, pearl diving, and fishing.
 The houses are constructed from gypsum stones extracted from the seabed and feature intricate carvings on doors, windows, and walls, with decorative motifs that reflect the commercial and social life of the island's inhabitants.
 Heritage expert Fathi Al-Binali explained that Dareen and Tarout Island is among the largest in the Arabian Gulf, with a history dating back to ancient times. He noted that the heritage inscriptions and decorations are historical documents carved on houses that reflect the region's strategic importance as a major commercial center and vital port on the Arabian Gulf throughout the centuries.
 He stated that the early builders relied on limestone, which is extracted from the seabed and is characterized by its hardness and thermal insulation properties. It was also used as a primary material for bonding, plastering, and decoration.
 The ongoing development of historic towns across the Kingdom, including those on Dareen and Tarout Island, aims to enhance the quality of life, strengthen tourism, preserve the island's rich historical and cultural heritage, convert archaeological sites into global tourism and heritage destinations, diversify local income sources, and create job opportunities for the region's residents.