Al-Hima Castle

Al-Hima Castle is a historical castle located in Damad Governorate, part of Jazan Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was constructed in 1841 during the era of the Second Saudi State and still retains its original form and structure as it was constructed.

Al-Hima Castle, located twenty km east of Damad Governorate, was constructed to oversee the farms situated along the valley’s bank in that area. The castle was named "al-Hima" due to its intended function, which was to protect the farms and their crops and to store and preserve grains.

The primary construction materials used in the construction of al-Hima Castle are volcanic stones and bricks, particularly in the upper sections. The foundations, which rise to about one and a half m, are entirely constructed from larger, solid volcanic stones. These stones were alternated with bricks in the sections above the foundations. Additionally, local wood was used to support the ceilings, which have completely collapsed and no longer exist.

The castle has two towers, one in the northeastern part, while only the ruins of the other remain in the eastern part. A sturdy wall surrounds the castle. The presence of the remnants of stairs leading upwards in the southwestern part of the castle, along with the remaining walls standing at a height of eight m, suggests that the castle likely consisted of two floors. The rooms, or at least what can still be seen of their remaining features, are concentrated to the right in the southern part.

The main entrance of the castle is located in the southwestern part, leading to a roofed chamber with a small door on its southern side that opens to the outside of the castle. Both doors are now sealed, and each is topped with a pointed arch. The castle lacks notable architectural decorations, aside from simple geometric patterns found on the upper parts of the outer walls of the castle’s chambers and the top of the northeastern tower. These patterns were created by arranging bricks in squares and circles.