Al Thaqab Fort

While many of the historical sites in northwest Qatar are still in the early stages of excavation and conservation, Al Thaqab Fort has already undergone two restorations to return it to its preoccupation structural state. Observe the coral, limestone, and mud construction materials and methods employed in the 2003 rebuild when you visit Al Thaqab Fort. These resemble the ones that were employed hundreds of years ago when the fort was first built.

Traditional features of the fort include a nearly square layout and fortifications at each of its four corners. These towers come in three different shapes: three circular and one rectangular. There is a sizable open area in the inner courtyard. To the southwest of the fort, look for the deep well.

Sometime between the 1600s and 1800s, the fort was built, perhaps to defend this well from raiders. The fort was the scene of a battle in 1937. Forces belonging to Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, surrounded about 40 local Naim tribesmen who regularly tented inside the fort. Four of the tribesmen were slain by the sheik's forces after they arrived by horse, car, and camel.

Significance: 

The water at the base of a valley after rain is referred to by the word 'Thaqab.' One of the forts that underwent renovation in the 1980s was Al Thaqab. A deep well may be found close to the fort, to the west, which was likely defended by this fort. The fort itself is a classic rectangular desert fort constructed of flat slabs of beach rock or rough limestone faroush. It comprises one rectangular tower and three circular corner towers. Al Thaqab, like other desert forts, provided a haven for the local populace in the event of potential conflicts.

Best things to do: 

Locate a picnic area with a shade close to Al Thaqab Fort. Bring yogurt, cucumber, chicken kebabs, dates, and sweet fried dough balls called luqaimat for dessert. Alternately, stop for lunch in Al Ruwais throughout the day and wander around the Ruwais Port to observe how the contemporary container ships and conventional dhows coexist in Qatar at present.