Al Koot Fort

Al Koot Fort
Doha Fort
قلعة الكوت
Near Souq Waqif, Doha,  Qatar
The Fort in 2013
Coordinates 25°17′12″N 51°31′51″E / 25.2866°N 51.5309°E / 25.2866; 51.5309Coordinates: 25°17′12″N 51°31′51″E / 25.2866°N 51.5309°E / 25.2866; 51.5309
Type Historical Fort
Site information
Owner  Qatari Government; Ministry of Tourism, Qatar Museums Authority
Controlled by 1938–present:  Qatar
Site history
Built 1927
Built by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani
In use 1927–1977: Police Station/Jail/Military Fort
1978–present: Museum

Al Koot Fort most commonly known as the Doha Fort, is a historical military fortress located in the heart of Doha, Qatar's capital city. It was built in 1927 by Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani, better known as Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1913 until 1949, after Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, Sheikh Abdullah's brother, abdicated in favor of him.[1] The fort was later converted into a museum.[2][3]

Qatari traditional handicrafts, products and photos of daily life with illustrations are housed in the fort. Exhibits and artworks include handicrafts, gypsum and wooden ornaments, fishing equipment and boats, historical photos and paintings including oil paintings of craft workers and daily life.[2][3]

History

The Al Koot Fort was rebuilt in 1927 by Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani, after it was abandoned by the Ottomans. It was originally built to serve as a police station in 1880 and afterwards used as a jail in 1906, although some sources prove that the Al Koot Fort was built by Sheikh Abdulla to protect the Souq Waqif from notorious thieves.[3]

Geography

The Al Koot Fort is located in the Al Bidda neighborhood, in the midst of the famous Souq Waqif, near Doha Corniche, and is now a preferred landmark, museum and tourist spot, most especially for foreigners.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Historical Landmarks". qatar.hu. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Doha Fort (Koot)". Qatar Museums Authority. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Forts :: Qatar Tourism Authority". Qatartourism.gov.qa. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
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