QATAR :

Marroub Fort Built during the Abbasside period on the foundations of an older fort, Marroub Fort is located on the west coast of Qatar and bears the marks of Abbasside architectural style. To the north of the Fort, 250 houses were grouped together in an arch formation

Al-Ghuwair Castle was built during the early 19th century and is now in ruins. It was constructed with thick walls of stone and mud in a rectangular shape.

Al-Thughb Fort located on the northwest part of the country, approximately 110 kilometres from Doha , al-Thughb Fort is rectangular with four towers – a common design for desert forts erected between 17th and 19th centuries.

Al-Zubarah situated just 100 km west of Doha lies the town of Al Zubara , an important archeological site famous for its old fort. This fort-turned-museum was constructed in 1938 during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and was erected on the ruins of a neighbouring fort. The fort itself is square-shaped with circular towers in three of its corners and a rectangular tower in the fourth. With high, thick walls, this fort also served as a coast guard station and, until the mid-1980s, was used by the military.

Al-Rakiyat Fort r estored in 1988, Al-Rakiyat Fort was constructed sometime during the 17th and 19th centuries. Made of mud and stone, this fort, as with many others in Qatar , is shaped as a rectangle with four corner towers.

Barzan Tower o riginally built as watchtowers; Barzan Tower is the western tower of two that were erected around the Umm Salal Mohammed area. This Tower was built during the late 19th century and its ‘T' shape is considered a unique architectural style in the Gulf region. It is a rectangle construction with three levels and an external staircase.

Umm Salal Mohammed Fort l ocated about 20 kilometres north of Doha and built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this Fort is distinguishable by its high thick walls and impressive façade. Inside the fort, you will find several examples of architectural and decorative elements.

Al-Wajbah Fort w ith its high towers and thick walls, Al-Wajbah Fort was the site of a famous battle and is considered the oldest fort in the country. In 1893 AD, the people of Qatar , under the leadership of Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeated the Ottoman forces.

Al-Jassasiya c omposed of a number of rocky hills overlooking the northeastern coast of Qatar; the hills of Al-Jassasiya contain numerous stone carvings and engravings which are peculated to date back to pre-historic times. Known for its fine beaches, Al-Jassasiya and its neighbour, Fuwairet, are popular for weekend excursions.