Al Wajbah, Historical fort in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Al Wajbah is a fort in Al Rayyan featuring four defensive towers—two round and two rectangular—with walls built from limestone and clay covered in gypsum plaster. The structure shows how each tower type served different defensive purposes in the overall layout.
The fort gained prominence in 1893 during the Battle of Al Wajbah, when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani led Qatari forces to victory against Ottoman troops. This event marked a turning point in Qatar's struggle for independence.
The nineteen ground-floor rooms show how daily life, prayer, and community gatherings shared the same space for local inhabitants. This layout reveals the way residents organized their homes and their spiritual practices together.
The site is located around 15 kilometers west of Doha and is accessible from the city. It underwent extensive restoration work in 1990, making it safe to visit, though desert conditions require some preparation.
The round watchtowers feature serrated upper platforms and shooting openings that were more sophisticated in design than the simpler rectangular towers. These differences show how defenders anticipated various attack scenarios.
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