Tabuk Castle (Arabic: قلعة تبوك, qalʿat tabūk) is an ancient castle in Tabuk, the capital city of the Tabuk Region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, which dates back to 1559.[1] The castle has been rehabilitated and transformed into a museum open to all visitors.[2]

Tabuk Castle
Castle of Tabuk (2022)
LocationTabuk, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates28°22′58″N 36°33′24″E / 28.38278°N 36.55667°E / 28.38278; 36.55667
Built1559; 465 years ago (1559)
Current useMuseum
Governing bodySaudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage
Tabuk Castle is located in Saudi Arabia
Tabuk Castle
Location of Tabuk Castle in Saudi Arabia
Display in Castle of Tabuk (2022)

History

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Although it is believed that castle was built about 3500 BC and mentioned in the Quran as of Aṣḥāb al-Aykah (Arabic: أَصْـحَـاب الْأَيْـكَـة "Companions of the Wood"),[3][4] the known origin dates back to 1559.[1] It was constructed to protect the water station as well as for security and surveillance purposes and was one of the stations on the Levant-Medina Haj road to welcome the pilgrims.[2][1][4]

Structure

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The castle consists of two stories connected by a stairway and encompassing a mosque and various rooms where the second floor involves an open mosque.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Tabuk Castle". sauditourism.sa. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  2. ^ a b "Tabuk Fortress Museum opened for visitors". Arab News. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  3. ^ "Tabouk City Profile, Saudi Arabia". www.the-saudi.net. Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  4. ^ a b Blog, Gurfati (2017-03-03). "Unfold The Hidden History of Tabuk In Less Than 5 Minutes". Gurfati Blog. Retrieved 2019-02-24.