Qatar is a land steeped in ancient traditions and a rich heritage passed down through generations, which has become part of its modernity and contemporary vision.
Its history may date back just a few hundred years, but it has left a mark on the world, and you can see its richness dotted around the country in the form of markets, forts, villages, and other symbols. Let us take you back in time for a glimpse of the past!
Please note that while visiting some historical places, stay within the designated areas and do not wander to unknown locations, as some places are protected.
Souq Waqif (the 'standing market' in Arabic) is one of Qatar's most popular tourist destinations and a shopping hub. This iconic destination is designed like an old market in Qatar today, and in the olden days, vendors used to stand and sell their goods from temporary stalls here. The first semi-permanent stalls were built around 250 years ago. Don't miss checking out this place!
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Al Jumail Fishing Village, located near Al Zubarah Fort, is an old pearl diving and fishing village in Qatar. It is also called a Ghost Town, and you can find ruins of old houses, a mosque with its minaret still intact and other small buildings here. You can also find scattered pottery, beads and more.
Go back in time at the Al Jassasiya Rock Art Site and explore over 900 petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by chiselling or pecking the stone surface to carve drawings. Discovered in 1957, the site was comprehensively studied in 1974 by researchers and archaeologists. Have you checked out this place yet?
Al Areesh Fisherman’s Village in the northwest of Qatar in Al Shamal Municipality is an old fishing village that was abandoned once the oil boom in Qatar began. The houses there were inhabited until the 1970s and you can find old structures and ruins that tell Qatar's past here.
Check out these mushroom-like rock formations in Al Shahaniya Municipality. These old structures look like they're from an outer planet and are also favourite structures to capture for many astrophotographers in Qatar!
The Radwani House was built in the 1920s and is located in the oldest part of Doha. Archaeologists have uncovered an assortment of important artefacts and items during the excavation of the area that provide details of how daily life in Qatar was once conducted. This house tells the story of how a traditional Qatari family lived in the olden days and how their lives transformed over the years.
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Qatar is dotted with many heritage sites that are known for their historical and cultural value. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, Al Khor Fort, Barzan Towers, Zekreet Fort and more!
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Originally written by Nabeela Tariq, updated by Vrinda Abilash
How many of these places have you checked out in Qatar? Did any of them take you back in time? Do let us know your thoughts. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!
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