Ajyad Fortress, Ottoman fortress in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Ajyad Fortress was an Ottoman military installation built on Bulbul Hill in Mecca, positioned roughly 150 meters above the southwest corner of the Grand Mosque. The defensive walls of the installation stood three meters high and enclosed artillery halls, ammunition storage, and quarters for over a thousand personnel across an area of roughly 800 square meters.
Sharif Surur ibn Musa'id commissioned the fortress in 1777 to defend Mecca and the Grand Mosque against attacks. Ottoman forces surrendered the installation in 1916 during the Arab Revolt, and it was demolished in 2002 despite international protests to make way for the Abraj Al-Bait complex.
The fortress cannons were fired during Ramadan to announce the start and end of prayer times across the city. This acoustic marker shaped the daily rhythm of pilgrims and residents around the Grand Mosque for more than two centuries.
The fortress no longer exists, having been completely demolished in 2002. The site is now occupied by the Abraj Al-Bait tower complex next to the Grand Mosque, covering the former location on Bulbul Hill.
Turkish authorities protested most loudly against the demolition, viewing the fortress as part of their Ottoman heritage. The destruction sparked an international debate about protecting historical structures in holy cities that continues today.
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