Al Maqta Fort

Al Maqta Fort, sometimes also spelled Maqtaa or Maqta'a, lies in the city of Abu Dhabi, in the emirate of the same name in the United Arab Emirates. It is situated next to the Al Maqta Bridge.

Al Maqta Fort is said to have been built in the early 19th century. It guarded the then small fishing village of Abu Dhabi, situated on an elongated island only separated from the mainland by a shallow canal, known as the Khor Al Maqta. The fort stands near the shore on the mainland. In the canal itself stands a watch tower; the Al Maqta Tower, on a small, inaccessible islet. I think that the tower is actually the first fortification and that the fort was built on a later date.

The fort consists of a square 2-storey tower with 2 additions on its northern and eastern side. I think that only the tower-like part of it is original and that the other parts are modern additions.

At present Al Maqta Fort is not accessible. I read that it was restored in recent decades and that a visitor center was installed. The visitor center has been closed for several years already, so now there's not much to do. A not very interesting fort. 

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