Barzan Towers: Heightened Views

The watchtowers are the Barzan towers, which are located on the southern side of the defensive system. The tower is 16 meters tall and was designed to keep an eye out for ships entering the city. Not only that, but the tower has two additional buildings, one on its northern and one on its western side. It is a must-see Doha tourist attraction for all height enthusiasts.

Built between 1910 and 1916 in traditional Qatari style from coral rock and limestone, this imposing 16-meter high watchtower served as a lookout for approaching ships, particularly those carrying incoming Ottoman troops in the early 1900s. It is also thought to have been used to protect water supplies and as an observatory to track the moon and determine lunar calendar dates. The Barzan Towers, unlike other forts in Qatar, were built over several floors, hence the name "Barzan," which means "high place" in Arabic.

The towers were constructed in the late 1800s and renovated in 1910 at the request of Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani. Barzan is a three-story rectangular building with an unusual architectural style and an external staircase. The walls are one meter thick and were constructed by combining coral and limestone and cementing the two together with a mud mortar. The walls were plastered with a gypsum-based plaster after they had dried. The roof was constructed in four layers, beginning with several bitumen-coated wood poles. The poles are wrapped in woven bamboo strips. During the hotter months, a compressed layer of mud and a net of mangrove branches were added to protect the towers from the scorching sun.

Location: Muhammed,، Qatar
Timings: Open 24 hours
Price: No entry fee
Famous For: Heightened views of the place
Google rating: 4.3/5

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