Doha, November 17 (QNA) - Qatars historical and archaeological monuments are a source of inspiration and pride to all those in Qatar, especially the younger generations, as the monuments carry the memory of those before us.

Al-Rekayat Fort is located in Al-Shamal city, 110 km away. The Fort is a crucial monument to Qatar and its people and worth visiting as one of the most distinct tourist destinations for visitors and fans of the World Cup.

The Fort's history goes back to the 19th century, but it was restored in the 1980s. It was built for the purpose of conserving water in the area.

According to historical sources, the history of the Fort dates back to the period between the 17th and 19th centuries. The unique cultural architectural style of Al-Rekayat Fort, which means 'the well' in Arabic, paved the way for its historical integration into the local environment in Qatar, making it one of the oldest and most crucial desert forts in Qatar.

It is believed that the Fort was built to protect the water source of the area, as there is a freshwater well inside the fort. Moreover, remains of a village surround the area of the fort. The Fort showcases three rectangular towers and a cylindrical one, and around the three sides (north, east, and west) of the central courtyard, there are several room. As for the fourth "southwest tower," it sits in the form of a three-quarter circle. The main entrance to the fort is located within the southern wall, with an abundance of rooms along the three northern, eastern and western walls. However, in the southwestern corner of the yard, there is a staircase that leads to the upper level of the southwestern tower.

Qatar Museums restored the historical fortress, making it one of three Qatari heritage sites that joined ISESCOs List of Heritage in the Islamic World during the ninth meeting of the Heritage Committee of ISESCO in June 2021. Other than Al-Rekayat Fort, the list includes Barzan Towers and Al-Khulaifi House.

The restoration of Al-Rekayat Fort took about a year from Oct. 2020 to Sept. 2021. The restoration encompassed outdoor lighting, using clean environmentally friendly solar energy. The pedestrian paths are paved with pebbles to show a clear pattern of movement for visitors, as well as a safety precaution during rain. Additionally, the outdoor prayer hall and reception room (the Majlis) were restored.

In its restoration of Al-Rekayat Fort, Qatar Museums adopted a special style that goes well with its original design and respect the previous restoration project from 1988, as it became an undeniable part of the fort's history. Furthermore, a mobile service building outside the Fort was constructed to meet the requirements of visitors. Moreover, the original cultural materials were used in the current restoration, but with a more modern approach.

Additionally, the roof of the Fort was restored according to the local Qatari building style, using the same ways and supplies that were used in history such as "Dinjel, Basjil, and Manghrur".

The original plaster used in the past was conserved as much as possible and the damaged plaster was replaced with a newer plaster made of the same historical materials (plaster and mud). Furthermore, the floor work was done and doors that used the same previous design in terms of shape and materials were installed.

The restoration of Al-Rekayat Fort came as a commitment from Qatar Museums to preserve, renew and raise awareness of Qatars historical architectural identity. It also comes in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, as the Fort now stands as one of the landmarks of the well-established cultural identity of the State of Qatar, providing future generations with a comprehensive vision of the architectural development of the country.

(QNA)