Al Zubarah Fort: A symbol of Qatar's cultural legacy

Qatar Tribune

12-07-2025

Khaled Al Hameidi
Doha
Al Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic symbols of Qatar's rich history, continues to captivate visitors with its preserved architecture, educational displays, and cultural resonance.
Visitors to the site have expressed their admiration for the recent improvements that have transformed the fort from a static monument into a dynamic educational experience. From detailed interpretive signage to high-tech digital tablets that narrate the fort's storied past, Al Zubarah Fort is rapidly becoming a flagship for heritage tourism in Qatar.
'The improvements are remarkable,' said Ali Al Blushi, a Qatari national visiting the fort with friends. 'You can feel the spirit of our ancestors here. The newly added historical panels and photos of old Qatari homes show the harsh conditions our forefathers endured. This is not just tourism, this is identity.'
The fort's recent developments, overseen by Qatar Museums and supported by the leadership of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reflect the country's broader commitment to safeguarding and promoting its cultural heritage. Qatar has been investing significantly in historical preservation, not merely as a cultural obligation but as a strategic pillar of national development.
Technology meets tradition
One of the most notable additions to Al Zubarah fort is the integration of digital tablets that allow visitors to access information on key features of the fort, the history of the surrounding town, and Qatar's role in regional trade networks of the 18th and 19th centuries.
'This is a major leap in heritage education,' said Ahmad Al Maadhid, another visitor to the fort. 'The tablet allows me to engage with the site in multiple languages. It's especially helpful for tourists who want to understand our story but may not be able to read Arabic.'
Qatar Museums has also equipped the site with multi-language signage, security presence to deter inappropriate behaviour, and infrastructure such as shaded seating, clean restrooms, and designated photography zones, features that collectively enhance the visitor experience.
'The combination of tradition and technology makes this place accessible and engaging,' Al Maadhid added. 'It's a model that could be replicated in other heritage sites across the Gulf.'
Youth engagement and
social media appeal
Younger generations are particularly drawn to the site, not just for its historical value but for its aesthetic appeal. The fort's striking sand-coloured walls, panoramic desert views, and carefully restored interiors have become a favourite backdrop for Qatari youth capturing moments to share on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
'It's amazing how many young people are using this site to reconnect with our roots,' said Fahad Mohammed, a university student. 'At first, I came here for a photo shoot. But once I started reading about the history, I got deeply interested in our past.'
This spontaneous blend of digital culture and heritage appreciation signals a deeper trend: Qatar's youth are embracing their national identity in new ways, making sites like Al Zubarah fort part of both their online presence and personal narratives.
Expert views: A
historical treasure
To gain a deeper understanding of Al Zubarah fort's significance, we spoke to three leading experts on regional history and heritage preservation.
Hasan Al Mohannadi, a Qatari historian and researcher specialising in Gulf heritage, explained the fort's pivotal role in understanding Qatar's pre-oil era.
'Al Zubarah was not just a military fort; it was the heart of a once-thriving pearling and trading town that connected Qatar to India, the Levant, and East Africa,' Al Mohannadi said. 'The preservation of this site allows us to piece together the socio-economic life of Qataris before the discovery of oil.'
He commended the efforts of Qatar Museums and the Ministry of Culture for 'adopting a holistic approach that combines archaeological preservation, academic research, and public engagement.'
'Under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, heritage has become more than a symbol—it is a strategic tool for education and soft power,' Al Mohannadi added.
Reviving the Islamic
era narrative
Ali Mutib Al Marri, a master's student in Islamic history, believes that Al Zubarah fort serves as a crucial touchstone for understanding the interplay between Islamic governance, trade, and architecture in the Gulf.
'The site reveals how Islamic administrative structures were mirrored in coastal forts,' Al Marri said. 'Al Zubarah was designed not just for defence but for regulation, storage, and governance. It represents a microcosm of Islamic society's structure at the edge of the desert and sea.'
He emphasised the importance of involving students in heritage fieldwork and praised recent educational programmes that enable graduate students to participate in archaeological digs and digital archiving.
'When we touch these stones, we touch centuries of our own history,' Al Marri said passionately. 'It's an irreplaceable form of learning.'
A pan-Arab perspective
For a broader regional context, we also interviewed Dr Ali Al Maliki, an Iraqi historian and author of Modern Arab History: An Analytical Approach, who visited Qatar as part of a regional cultural exchange programme.
'Al Zubarah fort is a remarkable example of Gulf architecture that balances austerity with purpose,' Dr Al Maliki said. 'What's most impressive is Qatar's deliberate effort to narrate its history on its own terms, with integrity and academic rigour.'
Dr Al Maliki noted that Qatar's heritage strategy aligns with broader Arab aspirations to preserve national memory amidst rapid modernisation.
'What Qatar is doing under the patronage of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is a model for the Arab world. You cannot build the future without honouring the past,' he said.
He also pointed out that Qatar's investment in museums, archival projects, and cultural festivals creates a sustainable ecosystem for regional heritage studies.
National vision and
cultural diplomacy
The care shown to Al Zubarah fort is consistent with Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises human development, cultural enrichment, and global partnerships. Qatar's cultural diplomacy has grown to include exhibitions in global cities, restoration collaborations with international institutions, and exchange programmes that bring scholars to Doha and beyond.
In 2013, Al Zubarah was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, solidifying its global significance and protecting it under international conservation protocols. Since then, Qatar has made continual enhancements to the site, guided by experts in archaeology, architecture, and museology.
Qatar Museums Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has often spoken about the role of heritage in shaping national consciousness and promoting global understanding.
Under her leadership, institutions like Al Zubarah fort are not only preserved but actively curated as living symbols of resilience and continuity.
Looking forward
As Qatar continues to strike a delicate balance between innovation and tradition, the role of heritage sites like Al Zubarah fort will only grow in importance. The fort is more than a monument; it is a classroom, a symbol of resilience, and a national treasure that speaks to the enduring spirit of the Qatari people.
From the reflections of local visitors to the insights of renowned historians, one message is clear: Al Zubarah fort is not simply a relic of the past, it is a vital bridge to the future.