Al Wajh Castle: A Restored Government Center and Fortified Stronghold in Saudi Arabia
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.3
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Primary era
- Modern
- Eras represented
- Modern
- Civilizations
- Ottoman
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page4 sections
History
Al Wajh Castle, also called the Market Castle, is a historic castle in Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia, built in 1875. It was fully restored and served as a government center and fortified stronghold for protecting the Tabuk Region. The building now houses a museum devoted to the history of Al Wajh, with photographs of the old town. The Saudi Heritage Commission has included the castle in the National Urban Heritage Register, a national record for historic urban and archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia.
Remains
Fortified Plan and Entrance
The castle has a rectangular plan measuring 55 metres from east to west and 51 metres from north to south. Three-quarter-circle towers occupy its four corners. The main entrance is centered in the western wall and opens into a vestibule with an area of approximately 30, although no unit is specified. Its floor is paved with hewn stone. A passage on the right side of the vestibule leads onward to the courtyard.
Courtyard and Wall Passage
The courtyard is bordered by several groups of rooms, most of them built against the castle’s inner walls. A group of toilets adjoins these rooms within a chamber-like structure. Its entrance opens from the courtyard onto a forecourt, and remains of an oven lie beside the structure. A staircase next to this group reaches the passage along the castle wall. Built of hewn stone, the passage is approached by two rows of stairs, each containing seven steps.