Al Zurayb Castle in Al Wajh
Al Zurayb Castle is a historic fortress in the east of Al Wajh governorate in the Tabuk region. A large fort built in the reign of Sultan Ahmed I in 1026 AH (1617 CE) to protect pilgrims and store their deposits and provisions, it has a foundation inscription at its entrance. The castle has a rectangular plan with four towers, one at each corner, and its entrance is on the western side. Inside, rooms surround the courtyard, and there are a mosque, a prayer area and a well. Three ponds are attached to the outside of its northern side. The castle takes a square form, with four round towers at its corners for observation and defence. Its plan shows a high level of building skill and precision, with right-angled corners and straight facades. A prominent gateway projects slightly from the western facade. The entrance gate is rectangular and wide, topped by a segmental arch and flanked by stone benches, and it was used to protect the castle door. The inner face of the gateway is distinguished by coloured stones that set it apart from the stones used outside. The facades have no architectural openings except for the arrow slits spread along the upper part of the building.
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