Fujairah Fort () is a fort in the city of
Fujairah
Fujairah City () is the capital of the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, seventh-largest city in UAE, located on the Gulf of Oman (part of the Indian Ocean). It is the only Em ...
,
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...
(UAE). Dating back to the 16th century, it is among the oldest as well as the largest castles in the country. Today, it is among the main tourist attractions in the city.
[قلاع وحصون الفجيرة صورة من الماضي الجميل](_blank)
''Al-Khaleej''. Retrieved January 13, 2018. It is probably the oldest fort in the UAE and was occupied by the
Wahhabists.
Location
The fort is located about 2 km from central modern Fujairah in the old Fujairah region, on a small rocky hill which reaches 20 meters high. It is around 1 km away from the coast.
Architecture and history
The fort is part of a complex with several old houses and a
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
. It is guarded by three round watchtowers and a square watchtower. The watchtowers and main building are connected by the walls, and there is a central hall surrounded by these towers and wall. The irregular shape of the castle is due to the uneven surface of the rock it sits on. The building is built of local materials, mostly rocks, gravels, mud, hay and plasters.
Radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating (also referred to as carbon dating or carbon-14 dating) is a method for Chronological dating, determining the age of an object containing organic material by using the properties of carbon-14, radiocarbon, a radioactive Isotop ...
has identified the date of the construction as around 1500–1550.
It was then renovated during 1650–1700.
The
British Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
destroyed three of the towers in 1925 during an action enforcing British anti-slavery policy.
The bombardment was by
HMIS Lawrence
HMIS ''Lawrence'' (L83) was a sloop of war, sloop, commissioned in 1919 into the Royal Indian Marine (RIM).
She served during World War II in the Royal Indian Navy (RIN), the successor to the RIM. Her pennant number was changed to U83 in 1940. A ...
, resulting in the recovery of a fine of 1,500 rupees from the sheikh.
Restoration and Role Today
The fort was restored by the Fujairah Administration of Antiquity and Heritage during 1997/2000 using the same materials with which it was built.
قلعة الفجيرة
. ''National Registry of Archaeological Sites''. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
Today, Fujairah Fort is a prominent tourist attraction, drawing visitors to explore its storied past and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Adjacent to the fort lies the Fujairah Heritage Village, a meticulously restored area that showcases traditional Emirati life. The village features a mosque, historic homes that once housed the ruling families, and exhibits on traditional crafts and agricultural practices, offering an immersive cultural experience for visitors. Explore
virtual tour of the Fort
to hear from local people about its history and significance.
File:Fujairah Fort a view from inside.jpg, Inside the main courtyard
File:Fujairah Fort Rampart.jpg, One of the watchtowers from the courtyard
File:Fujairah Fort Detail.jpg, Staircase to the roof in one of the watchtowers
See also
* Fujairah Museum, nearby
* Sakamkam Fort, to the north
References
External links
*
16th-century fortifications
Buildings and structures completed in the 16th century
Castles in the United Arab Emirates
Forts in the United Arab Emirates
Buildings and structures in the Emirate of Fujairah
Fujairah City
History of the Emirate of Fujairah
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