Arif Fort
Arif Fort, also known as A'arif, is a historic archaeological fort located in Hail Province in the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was built atop a mountain in 1840 to protect the southern approach to Hail City. Covering an area of 440 m², the fort now functions as an archaeological museum that reflects Hail Province’s heritage and stands as one of its tourist attractions, welcoming visitors from within Saudi Arabia and abroad.
Arif Fort history
Arif Fort was constructed during the nineteenth century as a military observation post to guard Hail City from the south. It also serves as a resting place for pilgrims and locals from some of the earliest settlements formed around the fort.
The fort is the beginning of a series of seven castles surrounding Hail, for military purposes, to monitor armies and maintain security and safety for those coming to it at that time.
Design and contents of Arif Fort
Built from stone and mud, Arif Fort features a rectangular layout constructed on a moderately elevated mountain. Its design followed the natural gradient of the land, especially within the interior, where the floors are uneven in level. The fort is approximately forty m long and occupies an area of 440 m². It is a two-story mud-brick structure with large wooden doors and includes around thirty towers constructed for surveillance and defense purposes.
The fort incorporates all key architectural elements typical of military forts, including watchtowers, machicolations, and more. Its structural layout includes a main watchtower, a mosque, two rooms, and two open courtyards. The main entrance is located on the southern side and opens to the east, leading to a small courtyard that connects to the entrance of the mosque located at the center of the fort, where several corridors extend toward the southwest.
Arif Fort in the modern era
Arif Fort is one of the oldest historical castles in Hail Province, and it offers the best view of the city, making it a tourist attraction in the province at present and a permanent landmark that continues to attract tourists from inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
The fort has also served various functions, such as being a platform to launch Ramadan iftar cannons signaling the end of the daily fast and a location to sight the Ramadan crescent moon.
Sources
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Media.
Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA).