Zabal Castle, Historic castle in Sakakah, Saudi Arabia.
Zabal Castle is a stone fortress reinforced with clay that crowns a mountain overlooking Sakakah, featuring four corner watchtowers flanking its perimeter. The structure contains an internal courtyard with a catch basin that diverts rainwater into a network of underground passages.
The fortress took its current form in the 18th century, although people have inhabited this site since the 1st century. Over centuries of continuous occupation, it evolved to meet the changing needs of those who lived and worked within its walls.
The fortress sits at the heart of Sakakah's identity, built during a time when water security determined whether settlements could survive in the region. Local families continue to regard it as a symbol of their ancestors' engineering skill and resilience in the desert.
Reaching the site requires arranging transportation with local drivers, as public access follows strict prayer time schedules. Planning your visit requires checking local operating times before arrival, as these vary depending on daily religious observance.
The underground tunnel system beneath the fortress is large enough for people to walk through and supplies water to the entire city. This sophisticated water management approach reveals how early inhabitants solved the challenge of living in a desert environment.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
