Al Hosn Fort

Al Hosn Fort, also known as Sultan Fort or Eastern Fort, lies in the city of Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The present twin cities of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Al Buraimi in Oman were originally a group of oases, separated by desert, centered in an area of some 24 km², just north of the Jebel Hafeet mountain. Originally the whole area was known as Al Buraimi Oasis. In the late 19th and early 20th century numerous forts and towers were built to solidify Abu Dhabi's control over the western oases and to protect the settlements and oases from roaming bandits.

In 1952 Saudi Arabia sent raiders to capture the Abu Dhabi forts and incorporate the oasis into the Saudi kingdom. Forces from the Trucial Oman Scouts, as well as the army of Muscat-Oman, arrived to recapture the oasis. With British intervention, the Saudi forces surrendered.

After the independence of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, Abu Dhabi and Oman agreed on final borders, dividing the oases. The Abu Dhabi part was then known as Al Ain and the Oman part as Al Buraimi. From then on Al Ain experienced rapid growth, quickly becoming larger and more successful than Al Buraimi. Nowadays Al Ain is a bustling city while Al Buraimi is more like a quiet town.

AL Hosn Fort was built around 1910 by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who resided here prior to becoming ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1922. At that time it was situated in the heart of the former village of Al Ain. It protected the Al Ain Oasis, together with the nearby Al Jahili Fort. Al Murabba Fort is also nearby.

The fort has a square ground plan with round towers at 3 of its corners. The walls of the fort were built out of mud bricks and cob, palm tree trunks were used for ceilings and gypsum for details. It has a bent entrance. Inside the fort there is not much to see as its interior spaces are closed off.

At present Al Hosn Fort lies within the grounds of the Al Ain National Museum. It can be visited for a fee as a visitor to the museum. A nice fort. The museum is a bit dated but certainly worth your visit too.

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Al Hosn Fort

Al Hosn Fort, also known as Sultan Fort or Eastern Fort, lies in the city of Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The present twin cities of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Al Buraimi in Oman were originally a group of oases, separated by desert, centered in an area of some 24 km², just north of the Jebel Hafeet mountain. Originally the whole area was known as Al Buraimi Oasis. In the late 19th and early 20th century numerous forts and towers were built to solidify Abu Dhabi's control over the western oases and to protect the settlements and oases from roaming bandits.

In 1952 Saudi Arabia sent raiders to capture the Abu Dhabi forts and incorporate the oasis into the Saudi kingdom. Forces from the Trucial Oman Scouts, as well as the army of Muscat-Oman, arrived to recapture the oasis. With British intervention, the Saudi forces surrendered.

After the independence of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, Abu Dhabi and Oman agreed on final borders, dividing the oases. The Abu Dhabi part was then known as Al Ain and the Oman part as Al Buraimi. From then on Al Ain experienced rapid growth, quickly becoming larger and more successful than Al Buraimi. Nowadays Al Ain is a bustling city while Al Buraimi is more like a quiet town.

AL Hosn Fort was built around 1910 by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who resided here prior to becoming ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1922. At that time it was situated in the heart of the former village of Al Ain. It protected the Al Ain Oasis, together with the nearby Al Jahili Fort. Al Murabba Fort is also nearby.

The fort has a square ground plan with round towers at 3 of its corners. The walls of the fort were built out of mud bricks and cob, palm tree trunks were used for ceilings and gypsum for details. It has a bent entrance. Inside the fort there is not much to see as its interior spaces are closed off.

At present Al Hosn Fort lies within the grounds of the Al Ain National Museum. It can be visited for a fee as a visitor to the museum. A nice fort. The museum is a bit dated but certainly worth your visit too.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 4314