Doha, November 15 (QNA) - Barzan Towers are one of the most famous archaeological sites showcasing the distinctive Qatari architectural style, which emphasizes the relationship between Qatari architecture and Islamic architecture in general.

Barzan Towers is a unique historical and tourist beacon. It was built by order of Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al-Thani, who founded Umm Salal Muhammad village in 1910. The western Barzan Tower was built between 1910 and 1916, to form part of a vast wall surrounding the town and its orchards. The fence is located in a garden next to a small mosque, then the eastern tower was built in 1958, similar to the design of the western tower each 14 meters high.

In 2021, Qatar Museums announced that the Barzan Towers, along with Al Rekayat Fort and Al Khulaifi Heritage House were added by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) on the Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL).

This achievement is the culmination of Qatar Museums continuous efforts to revive Qatari heritage and to promote the various heritage sites in the country.

Barzan Towers' enlisting on the ICESCO's Islamic World Heritage List (IWHL) is an important historical and cultural legacy for the Qatari people and the Islamic world as a whole, serving as an encouragement for efforts to further enlist more Qatari Islamic archaeological sites on the ICESCO's IWHL, highlighting the Islamic culture of the State of Qatar, and strengthening its position on the map of Islamic and cultural tourism.

The Barzan Towers are located in the Umm Salal Mohammed area, affiliated to the Umm Salal Municipality, about 10 kilometers from the coast and approximately 15 kilometers from Doha. The three-level towers were made of stone and mud and have an external staircase. The towers' shape being rectangular is a characteristic that renders it a unique model of watchtowers in the Gulf region.

The towers' walls are more than a meter thick, and it is their thickness that distinguishes them, especially at their base. Barzan towers were made by mixing rough overlapping pieces of coral stones and limestone with two reinforcements of mud, similar to the walls of Al Zubarah Fort.

The two towers were built with some external annexes including a guest room and a mosque which was used in that period as a school for teaching the Noble Quran.

The site of the Barzan Towers is easily accessible, as visitors can reach it without any difficulty in finding the distinctive site that includes the towers and a number of historical external facilities.

The Towers experiences a flow of visitors, whether residents of Umm Salal, or citizens and residents of other regions and cities, in addition to foreign tourists who enjoy appreciating the distinct Qatari architecture, making it a potential destination for the fans of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

It is noteworthy that the archaeology and architectural conservation departments at Qatar Museums have previously restored Barzan Towers as part of several restoration projects throughout Qatar, with the aim of expanding their work, and impacting society, with the goal of preserving these important heritage areas. (QNA)