A'Arif Fort, Ancient defensive castle in Hail, Saudi Arabia.
The stone and mud structure rises prominently on a hilltop, featuring multiple defensive towers and thick walls across its perimeter.
Built by the Al Ali family during the 17th century, the fortress expanded under Al Rashid rule to monitor the surrounding territories.
The fortress served as a strategic observation point for marking the start of Ramadan through moon sighting and daily cannon signals.
Visitors can explore the fort daily between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with guided tours explaining the architectural features and historical significance.
From the castle heights at coordinates 27.5171106, 41.7033241, observers gain a complete view of Hail city and its desert landscapes.
Location: محافظة حائل
Address: GP83+R9H, Ar Riyadh, Labdah, Hail 55425, Saudi Arabia 55425 Hail
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 08:00-17:00
GPS coordinates: 27.51711,41.70332
Latest update: August 30, 2025 13:29
Saudi Arabia contains a wide range of historical locations spanning multiple periods, from Islamic holy sites to pre-Islamic archaeological remains. The country encompasses both religious destinations that draw millions of Muslim pilgrims annually and ancient settlements that reveal trade networks and civilizations dating back thousands of years. Among the most significant are the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Nabatean tombs at Al-Ula, and prehistoric rock art in various desert regions. The collection includes sacred sites such as the Great Mosque in Mecca with its Kaaba and Zamzam well, the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, and pilgrimage locations like Mount Arafat and the ritual grounds at Mina. Archaeological sites preserve evidence of earlier inhabitants, including Madain Salih with its 111 rock-cut Nabatean tombs from the first century, the petroglyphs of Hail dating back 10,000 years, and the sandstone formations of Al-Ula. Urban centers like Riyadh feature the Masmak Fortress from 1865, while Jeddah's historic port district displays traditional coral stone architecture. Together, these locations document the religious, commercial, and cultural development of the Arabian Peninsula across millennia.
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