Marid Castle
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Marid Castle (Arabic: قَصْر مَارِد, Qaṣr Mārid, literally "the rebellious castle") is a historic military fortress located in the city of Dumat al-Jandal in the Al-Jawf region of Saudi Arabia, about 50 km from Sakaka. Built in the first century AD on the basis of Roman–Nabataean pottery recovered during excavations,[1] the castle was first mentioned in the third century in connection with Queen Zenobia's campaign against Dumat al-Jandal and Tayma, when her troops were unable to capture the fortress.[2]
Etymology
[edit]The castle of Marid takes its name from the Arabic root meaning "rebellious," in reference to its successful defiance of those who attempted to storm it, as recorded by the medieval geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi.[1]
Location
[edit]The castle stands on a hill rising about 620 metres above sea level and overlooks the city of Dumat al-Jandal in the Al-Jawf region from the western side. Its elevated position contributed to its defensive importance, allowing the garrison to observe all parts of the town and any approaching party from a considerable distance.
History
[edit]
Marid Fortress is generally dated to the 1st century AD on the basis of Roman–Nabataean pottery recovered during excavations.[1] The earliest written mention of the castle dates to the third century AD, when Queen Zenobia of Palmyra is reported to have besieged Dūmat al-Jandal (then known as Adummatu) and Tayma without being able to capture the fortress. According to the medieval geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi, Zenobia is said to have remarked, "Marid has rebelled, and Ablaq has glorified" — Ablaq being the fortress at Tayma.[2]
In 633 CE, Khalid ibn al-Walid annexed Dumat al-Jandal to the newly formed Islamic empire.
In 1853, Ha'il governor Talal Ibn Rashid damaged the castle with two cannons.
In 1909, Nawwaf Ibn Sha'lan besieged the castle for ten months before wresting control of it from the Rashids.
Restoration work on parts of the castle was carried out between AH 1416 and AH 1423 (AD 1995/6–2002/3), alongside a mosque restoration project covering parts of the Al-Daraa neighborhood. The works included consolidation of facades, entrances and corridors, the installation of wooden ceilings of tamarisk stems in the corridors, and the application of layers of moisture insulation.
In 2018, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) launched a further project to repair the castle, in the framework of which a café and a traditional restaurant were established within the complex.
Description
[edit]The castle was originally rectangular in plan but is now oval in shape. It can be entered through two main gates, one to the south and one to the north, the latter adjoining a tower.
The castle has two storeys: the lower built in stone and the upper in mudbrick. Four conical towers, each approximately 12 metres in height, were built at different periods. Inside the castle are two wells, and the floors contain rooms used by the garrison for guard duty, shooting positions and observation.
The castle is enclosed by a large outer stone wall pierced by numerous openings for observation. This outer wall has two gates, one to the south and the other to the north.
Visitors typically take about 30 minutes to ascend the castle hill, which is reached by a winding stair of approximately 1,000 steps.
Excavation and dating
[edit]Excavations at Marid Castle, both inside and outside the structure, have brought to light layers of pottery and other finds dating to the Nabataean period, establishing the castle's foundations as Nabataean in origin.[3] Documented finds include:
- The castle foundations
- Nabataean material in different parts of Dumat al-Jandal
- A group of Nabataean cemeteries at the site of Sanaymiyat, west of Dumat al-Jandal
- Wall remains of the castle
In 1976, excavations revealed Nabataean and Roman ceramics dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, with further excavation completed east of the castle and outer wall.
Excavations carried out by Khaleel Ibrahim Al-Moaqil in 1986 confirmed the 1976 findings: a homogeneous layer of Roman–Nabataean pottery sherds indicated a prosperous community during the Nabataean period, to whose realm the region probably belonged.[3]
Nearby ancient sites
[edit]Several other ancient sites lie in the immediate vicinity of the castle, including the Umar ibn al-Khattab Mosque, the old market of Dumat al-Jandal, the historical Al-Darʿi neighborhood, and the city wall.
Gallery
[edit]
Omar ibn al-Khattab Mosque with its minaret and the castle in the background
Omar ibn al-Khattab Mosque
Dumat al-Jandal's city wall
Old Dumat al-Jandal, the Al-Dar'i quarter
Mard Castle
The old city of Adumato
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Marid Castle". Saudipedia. Ministry of Media, Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- 1 2 Harrison, Roger (2011-12-13). "Enigmatic standing stele of Al-Rajajil". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- 1 2 "Dûmat al-Jandal". Archéologie : Heritage of the Middle East. Ministry of Culture, France. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
General
[edit]- Al-Jawf, the fortified North Castle, Abdul Rahman Al-Tayeb Al-Ansari, Dar Al-Qawafel for Publishing and Distribution, Riyadh, 1429 AH / 2008AD.
- Al-Jouf and Hussain Al-Khalifa Nawaf Al-Rashed, Pavilion of Al-Jouf Emirate, the 18th National Festival of Heritage and Culture, 1423 AH / 2003 AD.
- Research in the effects of Al-Jouf region, Khalil Ibrahim Al-Moaqil, Abdul Rahman Charitable Foundation, Al-Jouf, 1st floor, 1422 AH.
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Also See: Castles in Saudi Arabia |