Al Koot Fort

About Al Koot Fort

Historical military fortress located in the heart of Doha, Qatar's capital city

Al Koot Fort, also known as Doha Fort, is a white fortress in the heart of old Doha beside Souq Waqif. Accounts of its history differ: some sources say it was first built as a police station in 1880 under the Ottomans and used as a jail from 1906, and that Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, ruler of Qatar from 1913 to 1949, rebuilt it in 1927 after the Ottomans left; others say he built it to protect Souq Waqif from thieves. In its day it stood on the edge of town and was one of Doha's most important forts. The fort is square, with high stone and plaster walls, corner towers (one round, the others square), a wooden gate and an inner courtyard. Restored in 1978, it became a heritage museum showing traditional Qatari crafts, carved plaster and wood, fishing gear and boats, historic photographs and oil paintings of craftsmen and daily life. Its white walls among the modern buildings remain one of the most photographed sights around Souq Waqif.

Where:

Doha, Qatar

Flights to Doha

• Amman to Doha