Jabal Maghas Fortress

Jabal Maghas Fortress is one of the historical sites in Jazan Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is located at the peak of the mountain that bears its name in al-Haqo Center, part of Baysh Governorate, about eighty-one km from Jazan City. Covering an area of approximately two thousand m, the fortress once housed a garrison of one of the ancient states until the Kingdom was unified. With the unification, the first presidency of al-Haqo Center was established during the Saudi State era. The fortress is distinguished by its heritage and historical character, serving as a tourist museum that can be visited and enjoyed for its strategic location.

Jabal Maghas Fortress is located on a mountain peak north of al-Haqo Center, rising about eight hundred m above the surrounding mountains. It overlooks the agricultural area centered along the course of Wadi Tafsha and several villages, and it is surrounded by formidable stone walls.

Jabal Maghas Fortress consists of historical houses and overlooks the agricultural area centered along the course of Wadi Tafsha and several villages. The origin of the name is disputed among storytellers. Some accounts indicate that a person named Tami Bin Shuaib sought refuge in the fields and fortified himself in the mountain. These accounts suggest that it was built before Islam. The structure features openings indicating its use in wars between tribes during the era of conflict before the unification of the Kingdom.

The fortress was built from sedimentary stone, which forms Jabal Maghas itself. It includes a watchtower that was used during wars. Inside, there are two large square buildings, each two stories high, divided to house the center's head and soldiers. Adjacent to these buildings on the east are two smaller structures used for storing food and water supplies. At the northernmost point, there is a wide, semi-circular building with a triangular qibla for prayer and small openings for observation.

The fortress has two entrances: the first is on the southern side, along an old stone-paved road with steps that animals can ascend. The second entrance is at the back, on the northern side, connected to a footpath. This entrance has a small door, one and a half m wide and two m high, located on a steep slope of the fortress, making it difficult for anyone other than pedestrians to enter.

The Jazan Province Emirate rehabilitated Jabal Maghas Fortress to make it suitable for receiving visitors and tourists. The rehabilitation included several improvements, such as paving a road to the mountain's peak, adding sidewalks and lighting, creating upper and lower green spaces, establishing parking areas, and building seating areas overlooking the agricultural lands of Wadi Tafsha. Additionally, a retaining wall was constructed to minimize the risk of rockslides on the mountain, and the green spaces were fenced with iron to protect visitors from falling.