A'arif Fort

A'arif Fort is a mudbrick fort standing on a rocky hill in the centre of Hail, in northern Saudi Arabia, overlooking the districts of the city and the nearby Aja mountains.

The fort dates from the nineteenth century or shortly before. Its foundation is attributed to the Al Ali family, who ruled Hail, and it was later added to and enlarged under their successors, the Al Rashid. Its main purpose was observation and defence. People in Hail also relate that it was used for sighting the new moon of Ramadan and that the cannon marking the breaking of the fast was fired from it.

The fort is built of mudbrick and stone. It has an irregular rectangular plan that follows the outline of the hill, with towers and openings for lookouts and marksmen, and inside there are rooms, a courtyard and a small prayer space. Visitors climb to it by steps, and from the top there is a broad view of Hail and the mountains around it. The heritage authorities have restored the building and lit it at night, so that it is visible from many parts of the city.