One of three towers built to defend this northern city in Qatar, Al Khor Middle Tower remains standing more than 100 years after it was built. Rest for a moment on one of the red benches placed around the tower. Contemplate how difficult life in the past must have been to cause the small community to need this sturdy structure.
The tower is about 26 feet (8 meters) tall. As you walk around the outside, notice it doesn’t have any doors or windows. Guards climbed up the thick wall using a rope and then pulled the rope up to prevent anyone else from accessing the interior. They stood on a narrow platform encircling the top of the tower and gazed out to see pearl divers at work from their dhows, sounding alarms if any pirate boats came into their visibility.
Note that Al Khor West Tower stands on a hill about 1,240 feet (380 meters) northwest of the middle tower. This tower had the additional duty of guarding over the Well of Ain Hleetan, one of more than 100 ancient wells that have been discovered in Qatar and are being preserved as historic landmarks. Al Khor East Tower is about 500 feet (150 meters) east of the middle tower, just inland of Al Khor’s corniche.
Drive to Al Khor from Doha in about 45 minutes or travel by bus in about 90 minutes. As you head north along the city’s waterfront, pass Al Khor Fish Harbour filled with dhows that are quite similar to the traditional boats used in ancient days by pearl fishermen. Look for the minarets of the Fish Market Mosque and Mohammed Al Sabteh Mosque. Al Khor East Tower will soon appear on your left. Take the next left turn to drive near Al Khor Middle Tower. The areas around all three towers are free to visit at any time unless excavation and restoration work is underway.
