The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has created a list of the most interesting ones to check out!
Al Koot Fort, popularly known as Doha Fort, is undoubtedly the most well-known in Qatar and a perfect showcase of the country's rich architecture.
Situated in the heart of Doha in the middle of the famous Souq Waqif, the fortress is white and square-shaped, having one rectangular and three cylindrical towers boasting traditional battlements at each corner.
The structure was originally built by Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani in 1880 and used as a police station and jail to protect Souq Waqif from thieves. In 1927, after the Ottomans abandoned the fort, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani rebuilt it, which is still preserved to this day.
The word Thaqab has an intriguing meaning 'the water in the bottom of the valley after the rain'. There is a deep well to the west of the Al Thaqab Fort. Villagers used to get water from this well, a very precious commodity in the desert. So, it is believed that the fort was built to guard that well and provide shelter in case of attack.
Al Thaqab Fort is located 12 km south of Al Ruwais in the municipality of Madinat ash Shamal in Qatar. It is unsure when exactly the fort was built. The fort was built in the early 1800s out of rough coral, limestone, and mud.
Al Zubara Fort is a famous military fort located outside Doha territory. It was built in 1938 by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani. It is located in the deserted town of Zubara, on the northwest coast of the Qatar peninsula, in the Al Shamal municipality, around 105 km from Doha.
It was originally constructed to serve as a coast guard station and became a police station after the coast guard station was decommissioned. The structure consists of three circular towers and a rectangular tower. It also has many rooms made up of cement or compressed mud. These rooms showcase beautiful artwork and valuable archaeological findings.
RELATED: All you need to know about the Al Zubarah fort
Al Rekayat Fort is a historical desert fort constructed during the 19th century. It is located in the neighbourhood of the scattered village of Ar Rakiyat in the northern municipality of Al Shamal. It is situated 94 km northwest of Doha and is just off the coastal road between the ruined towns of Zubarah and Ruwais.
Ar Rakiyat means ‘well’ in Arabic. According to popular belief, the fort was constructed to protect the freshwater sources in the village area of Ar Rakiyat, especially during natural calamities. The fortress consists of three rectangular towers and one cylindrical tower. The lower portion of the structure was constructed using mud and limestone, while the top portion was constructed using a mixture of mud and clay brick.
Situated in the suburbs of Doha in the village of Umm Salal Mohammed, Barzan Towers also known as the Umm Salal Mohammed Fort Towers, were built in the late 19th century and renovated in 1910 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani.
The word Barzan means 'the high place'. It is believed that the towers may have served as a lookout to protect local water sources.
Built in the 18th or early 19th century, Zekreet Fort is located close to Dukhan on the west coast of Qatar. The fort has an exceptionally particular design that permits seeing the two distinct periods of development. Initially, the fort was built as a simple square without towers in each corner. However, during the reconstruction phase, towers were added at the external four corners of the fort.
Originally written by Khadiza Begum. Updated by Cassandra Pallagud.
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