Ancient yet stunningly picturesque.
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Heritage
Al Thaqab Fort
Sitting alone in a rocky, sandy expanse of desert in the municipality of Madinat ash Shamal in Qatar, this beautifully preserved fort was built in the early 1800s out of rough blocks of coral, limestone and mud. Thaqab means 'water in the bottom of the valley after the rain' and is widely believed to have been built to guard water – a most precious commodity in the desert - which came from a deep well on the west side of the fort.
How to get there?
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Al Thaqab Fort is about 110km from central Doha and is easily accessible by 4-wheel drive.
Al Thaqab Fort is located to the north of the peninsular in the Ash Shamal area. The buildings next to the fort are actually a village by the name of Qal’at al Thaqab. Al Thaqab Fort, made from blocks of coral and limestone joined by mud mortar, has three circular towers and one rectangular tower. It also has a couple of buildings for storing and processing dates. The fort comprises a well where villagers would collect this precious commodity. Al Thaqab was built to guard the well and to provide protection for the community in the event of unwelcome visitors.
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Highlights of your visit
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Amazing construction
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Date processing area
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The village
Some sources claim Al Thaqab Fort dates to the 17th or 18th century, but most agree that it was built in the 19th. Whichever date may be correct, the fort was present at a time when the country’s northern settlements thrived due to bustling international trade. Archaeological evidence suggests that the village itself may have been inhabited as far back as the 10th century.
The word ‘Thaqab’ means ‘the water at the bottom of the valley after rain’. Not surprising then that a 35-foot well lies to the west of the fort.
Useful information
Al Shamal
Open 24 Hours
Not to miss
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Katara Cultural Village
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Qatar National Library
Light and air mark the modernist Qatar National Library, where every book is visible.
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