Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Fort, Al-Ain, Military fortress in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Fort is a square structure with a side of about 30 metres, built in 1907 in central Al Ain. Its only entrance is a projecting gateway on the south side, reached through a rectangular wooden door reinforced with thick iron studs. Above the door are three square openings and four round openings, called mazaghel locally, for firing.

Built in 1907, the fort served as a defensive structure and residence for the ruling family during periods of regional tension. It marks a time when the area needed to protect its borders.

Above the fort's only door, a wooden plaque carries two lines of Nabati poetry praising Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed and the day the fort was built. The door itself is thick wood reinforced with heavy iron studs, and the square openings above it were for arrows while the round ones, called mazaghel locally, were for rifles.

You can explore the towers and interior spaces to understand how the structure was built and how it was defended. It is best to visit during the cooler parts of the day, especially in the warmer months.

Above the fort's only door, a wooden plaque carries two lines of Nabati poetry: "The star of fortune does not shine in the house of glory / glory endures despite the enemies" and "Sultan bin Zayed built the house of kings / history shone on the happy day." The door itself is thick wood reinforced with heavy iron studs.