Old Ottoman Castle near Abha: A 19th-Century Military Fortress in Saudi Arabia
Visitor Information
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Country: Saudi Arabia
Civilization: Unclassified
Remains: Military
History
The Old Ottoman castle is situated near Abha in the municipality bearing the same name within the modern territory of Saudi Arabia. This fortress was constructed under Ottoman rule in the late 19th century as part of the empire’s military presence in the region.
The origins of the castle date to shortly after the Ottoman forces annexed the Asir region in 1871 CE (1288 AH). Construction began in 1872 CE (1289 AH), establishing the fortress as a strategic military installation overseeing the area. Its location was selected to monitor the important route descending from the nearby Shaar Pass toward Wadi Tih in the coastal Tihama lowlands. The castle’s name, derived from the Arabic word for “boundary” or “landmark,” reflects its function marking the frontier between the elevated Asir highlands and the Tihama plain, a role noted by the traveler Al-Hamdani.
The fort remained actively manned between 1909 and 1912 CE (1327–1331 AH), when Ottoman troops occupied the site, supported by local water sources that sustained the garrison. This period represents the last documented phase of active military use, demonstrating the continued Ottoman interest in controlling key passages in the Asir region.
Remains
The castle’s plan reveals a roughly rectangular layout that encompasses living quarters, service rooms, and open courtyards arranged within its enclosure. The fortification walls range from 70 to 90 centimeters thick, constructed primarily from locally found granite stones. These walls include numerous loopholes, small openings of various sizes designed for defense and surveillance.
At the northern and eastern sides, semi-circular towers project outward, enhancing the defensive capability of the fortress. The main gateway is situated on the eastern wall: it is 2.4 meters wide and reinforced on the west side by an 80-centimeter-thick buttress. The gate itself consists of two wooden leaves mounted on jambs anchored into the buttress and adjacent stone wall, with a wooden lintel above that serves to reduce the stress on the stones overhead.
Inside, the walls’ interiors are coated with a traditional mixture of clay and straw, a common technique to smooth surfaces and provide insulation. The roofs of chambers and annexes are supported by wooden beams topped with layers of reed stalks. Some inner facades bear plaster finishing, indicating attention to interior surfaces within the structure.
Water supply infrastructure was an essential component of the castle’s design. A well located about two kilometers away provided external water access, while an additional well, approximately 15 meters deep, lies within the southern courtyard to secure water on-site. Additionally, a large rectangular cistern measuring 5.9 by 23.9 meters and 2.25 meters in internal height was built adjacent to the castle. This cistern collected rainwater runoff from a nearby valley, supplying the occupants during dry periods.
Together, these architectural and hydraulic features confirm the castle’s use as a fortified military post adapted for sustained occupation in this arid environment. Many of the stone structures remain intact today, offering a clear representation of Ottoman-era frontier defense in the Asir highlands.