Al Wajbah Fort

Al Wajbah is among the oldest standing forts in Qatar, a walled compound west of Doha with square towers at the corners and a two-storey block inside, generally dated to the late nineteenth century. The area around it is where a Qatari force under Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed met an Ottoman column in 1893, an event treated as foundational in the country's account of itself. The fort remains largely closed.

Background

The fort stands at Al Wajbah, in Al Rayyan, 15 kilometres west of Doha. Its exact building date is unknown, though it is thought to come from the late 18th or the 19th century. The fort is rectangular, 34 metres long and 19 metres wide, with four watchtowers, two round and two rectangular. Nineteen rooms on the ground floor and upper chambers in the towers once served for living, worship and meetings. Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani used it as a residence at various times. In 1990 the Museums and Archeology Department returned it to its original state, removing later changes and strengthening the structure.

Source: Wikipedia, "Al Wajbah Fort"

What's there

• The corner towers - square rather than round, unusual among Qatari forts.
• The walled compound - the enclosure with its internal block.
• The 1893 ground - the area where the Ottoman column was met.
• The age - among the oldest surviving forts in the country.

When to go

November to March is comfortable. Interior access is restricted and often closed entirely. Late afternoon light is best on the walls.

Practical notes

The fort is usually closed to the interior and the visit is from outside. There is no interpretation on site. It sits in a plain suburban setting rather than open desert.

Nearby

Doha is east, and Al Shahaniya is west.

Key facts