Marid Castle, also known as Marid balance, is a military fortress located at Dumat Al-Jandal in the Al-Jawf region. It dates back to several centuries before the Islamic era and was built to protect the area from enemy attacks.
Military Importance and History
The word “marid” means rebellious, and this name signifies the castle’s rebellion and insurrection against anyone who tried to conquer it. Considering this was a fortification, one can appreciate its strategic location. All parts of Dumat Al-Jandal are visible from the fortress, and one can even see someone coming from a long distance.
In the late 1970s, excavations were carried out which revealed Nabataean and Roman artifacts dating back to the first and second century A.D.
Architecture
Marid Castle stands on a rocky plateau and is around 620 meters above sea level. The fortress was built from jandal stone, which is why the city was named Dumat Al-Jandal. The unique architecture of this castle is a testament to how old this fortress is, and therefore, regular maintenance work is needed to keep the castle from deteriorating.
The castle was fortified with stone walls with two main entrances and consists of various observation towers and buildings. To reach the top of the fort, visitors have to climb for about 30 minutes as there are 1000 steps in its spiral staircase. It is also believed that the people of Thamud built part of the castle as the construction shows great manpower and skill.
Attractions
To promote tourism, a heritage market and a traditional restaurant and café have been built in the vicinity of the castle. Walking through the castle corridors gives tourists a peek into ancient times and culture. If you are a history buff and are interested in Arab history, you will not want to miss out on this trip.
