Arad Fort

Arad Fort, locally also known as Qal'at Arad, lies in the town of the same name on the Muharraq island in Bahrain.

Arad Fort was probably built during the late 15th or early 16th century, as its style reflects the Islamic forts built during those times. Originally it was equipped with a double wall and was circled by a shallow moat filled with water from specially dug wells. It has several nose shaped machicolations. Inside the fort is a well and an ancient Arabic date press, known as a madbasa or mudabissa.

The fort guarded the strategic waterway between Muharraq island and the former Arad island. Later on during the 16th century Arad Fort was used by the Portuguese who had made Bahrain their colony. In 1602, they were expelled by the Safavid Persians, who also took use of the fort. After Bahrain was conquered by the Utub in the late 18th century, the fort apparently lost its strategic importance and fell into disrepair.

In the early 19th century the fort was rebuilt by the Omanis who had invaded Bahrain. They did not rebuild the outer wall. Arad Fort became the seat of the Omani Governor; the 12-year-old Salim, son of the Omani ruler Sayyid Sultan. Shortly after that Bahrain was taken by the Al Khalifa tribe of the Utub. They also used the fort. In 1840 Arad Fort was still used to guard the Muharraq Bay together with the newly constructed Abu Mahir Fort on Muharraq Island.

At present Arad Fort is a tourist attraction. Although there is not very much to see inside, I liked it very much. The fort can be visited for a fee.

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