Hail, Qalʿat Aʿarif

History

The fort stands on a hill south of the centre of Hail. It is built of stone and rammed earth, on two levels that follow the slope. Its plan is rectangular, about 40 m long, covering 440 m². It has a main watchtower, a small mosque, two rooms and two courtyards.

The sources do not give the same date of construction: 1205 AH / 1790 or 1256 AH / 1840. The fort was enlarged later. It was part of a line of seven forts that protected the town from the south.

It served as a lookout post against raids and as a halt for pilgrims. Later, the Ramadan cannon was fired from here to announce the breaking of the fast, and people watched for the crescent moon from here. Today it is a small museum and a viewpoint over the town and Jabal as-Samra.

The fort is open. There is a car park at the foot of the hill; you walk up.

What is certain and what is not

• Certain: the fort, its plan and its use for the Ramadan cannon.
• Uncertain: the date of foundation (1205 AH or 1256 AH). No foundation inscription has been published; the dates come from tradition and from surveys.

Sources

1. Saudipedia, « قلعة أعيرف ».