Marid Castle, Military fortress in Dumat Al-Jandal, Saudi Arabia
Marid Castle is a rectangular stone and mud-brick fortress with four conical towers at the corners and two main entrances on the south and north sides. The structure sits on a hill and offers wide views across the landscape from above.
The fortress is first mentioned in records from the third century, possibly connected to military events in the region. It served for centuries as a defensive structure to protect trade routes and local settlements.
The fortress shows traces of different settlers whose pottery and artifacts were discovered during excavations. These findings reveal that people from various cultures lived and worked at this location across centuries.
Reaching the top of the fortress involves climbing the stairway on the southern side, which takes roughly half an hour on foot. It is best to visit early in the day before it gets too hot, and wear sturdy shoes.
From the top, the fortress gave defenders a wide view across the entire surrounding area, allowing them to spot approaching threats from far away. This elevated position made it a valuable lookout point for controlling the territory.
Location: Al-Jowf Province
GPS coordinates: 29.81133,39.86734
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
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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