Qatif Castle

Qal'at al-Qatif (Qatif Castle), also known as Hadaret Qatif, Qasbet Al-Qatif, Madenet Al-Qatef Al Mohasana, Al-Farda, or Al-Mahfouza, was an ancient fortress located in the heart of Qatif, a city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The castle's origins trace back to the third century, built by the Sassanids. Later, in 1630 (1039 AH), the Ottoman Empire restored the castle, transforming it into a military base and strong point in the Persian Gulf. Over time, it also served as a warehouse for goods and a residential area.

The fortress housed eleven mosques, along with a royal court palace, guesthouses, and livestock pens, all of which were enclosed by a formidable wall. However, in the 1980s, Qatif Castle was demolished as part of a development project, following the 1979 Qatif Uprising. The area was gradually cleared of its houses and buildings, turning it into a public square and parking lots, leaving only 18 dilapidated structures.

Qatif Castle was oval-shaped, with an impregnable stone wall surrounding a densely populated residential district. British historian John Lorimer estimated the castle's dimensions at 365 meters on its eastern and western sides and 275 meters on its northern and southern sides. He also estimated its population to be around 5,000 people, with about 300 shops within its markets. The castle was surrounded by a deep trench, orchards, and farms, connecting it to the wider oasis of Qatif.

Tekst overgenomen uit “Qal'at al-Qatif” op de Engelstalige Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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