Standing about 30 feet (10 meters) tall, Al Khor East Tower was an important part of the defensive infrastructure for the developing city of Al Khor when it was constructed around 1900. Guards here watched for pirates and monitored activities of pearl divers just off the shore.
The tower was built of mud and stone. Look up at the uniform decoration at the top, with the appearance of upward-pointing arrowheads. Guards accessed the tower by rope.
Study the dhow that is now mounted next to the tower. This type of cladded wooden fishing boat has been used for centuries by Arab fishermen and pearl divers. The shape of the ship now symbolizes Qatar. Note that Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah has a roofline built to look like several inverted dhows lined up side by side.
Descend a short set of stairs from the base of Al Khor East Tower to get to the street level. Walk east from the tower for a few minutes to find public restrooms, before arriving at Al Khor Beach, a family favorite. Here you’ll find cabanas for shade and soft sand for kids to play in.
Walk out along the pier of Al Khor Fish Harbour to see today’s style of fishing boats, still quite similar to those used in traditional fishing and pearl-diving endeavors a century ago.
About 500 feet (150 meters) west of Al Khor East Tower is Al Khor Middle Tower, another former defensive site, this one now surrounded by red benches. Farther northwest is Al Khor West Tower on a slightly higher hill. This tower was used not only for watching for pirates, but also for guarding the city’s important water supply, the Well of Ain Hleetan. Include all three towers when you make a historic tour of the city of Al Khor.
Travel by bus from Doha to Al Khor in about 90 minutes or drive in 45 minutes. Al Khor East Tower is just north of a small mosque along the corniche. Ride a local bus to a stop just in front of the tower.
