Al-Shuna Tower

Al-Shuna Tower is an archaeological site in the historical area of Yanbu Governorate port, located in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province, west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Yanbu rose to prominence as a commercial port during the Islamic era, serving as a hub for caravans and pilgrim ships arriving from Egypt, the Levant, and North Africa.

Al-Shuna Tower in Yanbu was built during the expansion of Yanbu Port in 1519. In 1920, it was repurposed as a weapons storage facility. The dome-like building served as a warehouse for grains and cereals delivered to Yanbu Port.

In Jeddah’s historic area, there is another structure named "al-Shuna," which was used for purposes similar to al-Shuna Tower in Yanbu. This included serving as a weapons storage facility or military garrison, as well as a government warehouse for storing grains, timber, ammunition, and other items. During the twentieth century, it was used by a private merchant for storing imported goods.

Al-Shuna Tower in Yanbu was constructed using Mangabi stone, clay, and plaster, with walls measuring one m thick. Restoration and rehabilitation work is currently underway.