The houses of the old towns in Darin and Tarout islands in the Eastern Region are adorned with decorations, artistic engravings, and architectural design that reflect the professional, aesthetic, and cultural dimensions of the island's inhabitants, represented by professions such as agriculture, pearl diving, and fishing for fish and shrimp.

Heritage decorations represent historical documents that document the island's status

The houses are characterized by being built from plaster stones extracted from the sea floor, in addition to the engravings on doors, windows, and walls with various decorations that express the commercial and social life among the inhabitants, values, customs, and ancient heritage.

Heritage specialist Fathi Al-Benali explained that the heritage decorations spread on doors, windows, and walls represent historical documents that document the island's status as a commercial center and a vital port on the Arabian Gulf, and also reflect the social life and professions practiced by the population over past decades.

He pointed out that the plaster engravings highlight the creativity of local artisans, surpassing their aesthetic role to become a visual language that tells the stories of sailors, farmers, and merchants, and embodies the values of generosity and hospitality, while the engravings and Quranic verses inscribed on the buildings reflect the community's adherence to its religion and cultural identity.

Al-Benali explained that the residents relied in construction on 'Hajar al-Farush' (a type of stone) extracted from the sea floor, due to its hardness and thermal insulation capabilities, in addition to using palm trunks in building ceilings, which contributed to the construction of buildings and fortresses that have stood for centuries and achieved a unique harmony between the marine environment and traditional architecture.

The decorated wooden arches and doors carry cultural and social connotations, as they symbolize welcome and hospitality, and also reflect the economic status of families and the skill of local carpenters who excelled in their design and engraving.

The concerned authorities continue to implement projects to develop and rehabilitate the historical towns in Darin and Tarout, with the aim of preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of the island, and enhancing its tourist and economic appeal, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, turning heritage sites into tourist and cultural destinations that contribute to diversifying the economy and improving the quality of life.