King Fahd's Fountain

파흐드 왕 분수

King Fahd's Fountain, also called the Jeddah Fountain, is a giant water jet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It shoots up from the Red Sea next to the Corniche, the waterfront promenade, and it is the tallest fountain in the world. Its jet can reach 312 meters.

See it on the 3D globe →

At a glance

Country: Saudi Arabia
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Built: 1985
Height: 312 m

Quick answers

Where is King Fahd's Fountain?

King Fahd's Fountain is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

When was King Fahd's Fountain built?

King Fahd's Fountain was built in 1985.

How tall is King Fahd's Fountain?

King Fahd's Fountain is about 312 m tall.

The world's tallest fountain, shooting a jet of sea water up to 312 m above the Red Sea off Jeddah's Corniche.

The fountain was a gift to the city from King Fahd, whose name it carries. It was first built between 1980 and 1983, then reworked and started in its present form in 1985. It is listed in the Guinness World Records, and at night more than 500 LED spotlights light it up. It is a symbol of Jeddah and can be seen from far across the city.

How does it work?

The fountain pumps water at very high pressure, and it uses salt water from the Red Sea instead of fresh water. The water leaves the nozzle at a speed of about 375 kilometers per hour, and the water in the air at one moment can weigh more than 16 tonnes. The first version, inspired by the Geneva fountain that is about 140 meters high, did not reach the height the designers wanted, so it was developed further until it reached 312 meters.

A fountain with a big base and a record

The base of the fountain is shaped like a large mabkhara, a traditional incense burner. The jet is visible from all around the Jeddah area. A base jumper from the Red Bull Air Force team, Othar Lawrence, set a world record with a jump near the fountain. For people in Jeddah, it is a symbol of the city by the sea and a place to walk in the evening along the water.