Al Zubara fort

HERITAGE

Al Zubarah:

Qatar’s largest testimony to tradition

Adjacent to the walled coastal town of Al Zubarah, this 20th century fort is the youngest and most prominent feature of the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

HERITAGE

Stepping into Al Zubarah, Qatar’s largest heritage site, is like stepping through a portal into the past. Situated 85km from Doha, on the coast to the northwest, the site has three areas of major interest. The largest area encompasses the

archaeological remains of the ancient town of Al Zubarah, some of which exist from as far back as 1760. Very close to these one can discover the settlement of Qal’at Murair, created as a bufer zone to defend the inland wells that provided vital water to residents. And fnally, by far the most obvious and largest feature is Al Zubarah Fort, constructed in 1938. On June 22, 2013 the World Heritage Committee gathered in Cambodia and proclaimed Al Zubarah to be a UNESCO World Heritage site, enrolling it alongside over 900 sites of global cultural and historical interest.

ROW L D HERITAGE P A TRIMOINE M O N LAID

Al Zubarah Archaeological Site inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013

United Nations Cultural Organization

HERITAGE

Defending the coast

In 1938, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani ordered the construction of this fort as part of a string of defences intended to defend the northwest coast of the nation, and, more importantly, the fresh and sea sources of water thereabouts. It was built close to the ruins of the town of Al Zubarah itself, which was once a thriving pearling

town and trade location, long fought over by local tribes in their struggle to conquer the region. It is a perfect, highly classic example of an Arab fort, with its meter-thick walls protecting the inhabitants both from the savage heat and unfriendly warriors. Within those walls lie residences ranging from palaces to fsherman’s huts, mosques to local dwellings, a harbour and canal, and the

In 1938, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani ordered the construction of this fort as part of a string of defences intended to defend the northwest coast of the nation, and, more importantly, the fresh and sea sources of water thereabouts.

local cemetery. Its construction harks back to fortifcations from the past, with towers of various shapes, both round and square, topped by crenelated defences. It was previously used as a police and military outpost until 1896, when it was transformed into a museum and visitor centre.

It is a perfect, highly classic example of an Arab fort, with its meterthick walls protecting the inhabitants both from the savage heat and unfriendly warriors.

Al Zubarah

HERITAGE

South of Al Zubarah Fort, and built on a higher elevation, is Qalat Murair, a large setlement that not only looked out to sea for potential invaders but provided vital defences for the area’s fresh and seawater supply. Rectangular in form, it boasts four corner towers, which enclose ordinary domestic dwellings, a mosque, and the cisterns and wells that housed the water.

A struggle for water South of Al Zubarah Fort, and built on a higher elevation, is Qalat Murair, a large settlement that not only looked out to sea for potential invaders but provided vital defences for the area's fresh and seawater supply. Rectangular in form, it boasts four corner towers, which enclose ordinary domestic dwellings, a mosque, and the cisterns and wells that housed the water. Only one well is still visible, but research and archaeological digs have revealed that further water structures still exist deep underground. Qalat Murair not only guarded water supplies but observed the eastern approaches to the town of Al Zubarah, and the vital grazing areas that also lay there.

There was also a canal connecting Murair to the sea, which enabled boats to trade and provision themselves with fresh water. This canal was eventually flled in and walled, with the walls themselves used as a safe passage for water transportation down to the slopes from Qalat Murair to Al Zubarah.

Qalat Murair was permanently settled until the construction of Al Zubarah Fort in 1938.

If you’ve ever wondered what an old Qatar village was like years ago, a trip to The NorthWestern Coast of Qatar is sure to pique your curiosity!

Located in The North-Western Coast of Qatar and near Al Zubarah Fort, Al Jumail

Fishing Village was built in the 19th century to protect the essential sources of water in the area.

HERITAGE

The whole site illustrates a remarkably advanced, geographically conscious and sustainable way use of both land and water resources. The wells, canals and transportation systems are highly typical of the resourcefulness displayed

by residents across the Gulf nations, particularly given the harsh desert climate in which they existed and thrived. It is also a window into Qatar’s seafaring past, and the struggle to trade goods and acquire that basic necessity for human existence –water.

The wells, canals and transportation systems are highly typical of the resourcefulness displayed by residents across the Gulf nations, particularly given the harsh desert climate in which they existed and thrived.

The international

The archaeological site of Al Zubarah provides a fascinating window into how the land and coastal area were developed and transformed in conjunction with the development of the pearling and diving industries that stretched back to the early Islamic period into the twentieth century. It is an invaluable example of contemporaneous dwelling and infrastructure planning capabilities of the time. It perfectly preserves traditional Qatari building methods, now sadly almost lost as the country witnesses rapid modern forms of urban development.

The archaeological site of Al Zubarah provides a fascinating window into how the land and coastal area were developed and transformed in conjunction with the development of the pearling and diving industries that stretched back to the early Islamic period into the twentieth century.

HERITAGE

The fort’s design recalls earlier features common in Arab and Gulf fortifcation architecture including pointed crenellations, a traditional type of roof construction, a combination of both round and square corner towers, sloping walls and a square ground plan.

15m deep well cut into limestone bedrock to provide water

Thick walls provide protection, and help keep rooms cool in the heat of summer

Mud or cement

Small gravel Danshal wood beams from East Africa

Bamboo, palm-leaves or mats made of manghrour

Plaster made from mud, lime and anhydrite

Holes in wall for ventilation and defence

Thick walls made from local stones and mud mortar

Sand infill

Concrete foundation

HERITAGE

The past preserved for future generations

The Al Zubarah Heritage Site is of international importance for many reasons. Buried under the sand for many years, it has been revealed to be a perfect example of the ingenious way in which ancient settlements grew to form the modern-day

Gulf States. For the visitor, Al Zubarah revivifes the socioeconomic transformations made by the traders, pearl divers, urban planners and military strategists to sustain and improve the coastal towns of the region, from the Early Islamic period, right up to the 20th century.

State of Qatar has made strenuous atempts to preserve its tangible legacy and cultural fabric in order to bring the local and international communities closer to its past and ancestors' lifestyles.