Barzan Tower, Watchtower in Umm Salal Mohammed, Qatar.
Barzan Tower is a watchtower in Umm Salal Mohammed that rises above the flat surroundings. Its walls are made of coral rock and limestone bonded with mud mortar, creating a solid structure that was built to observe the landscape from above.
The tower was built between 1910 and 1916 as a strategic observation point to monitor approaching ships and potential military movements along the coast. This period marked important changes in regional power and influence in the area.
The name Barzan means high place in Arabic, reflecting how the tower once helped track lunar phases for important Islamic dates. The structure served as a landmark in the flat landscape and held significance for people living in the surrounding settlements.
Visitors can enter the tower and climb to the top to see the surroundings from above. It is best to wear comfortable shoes since the internal stairs can be narrow and steep.
The structure has channels called marazims built into its walls that direct water away during rainfall and protect it. This clever water management reveals how builders adapted to the dry climate.
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