Great wall to protect Fujairah's Old Fort

Men are hard at work in Fujairah, building a 'great wall' to protect the Old Fort, and other historical remains. The project has been commissioned by the Fujairah Department of Archaeology and Heritage as part of a massive scheme to set up a heritage village there.

Efforts are being made to ensure the new wall respects the texture and overall appearance of the Old Fort. Salah Ali Hassan, an archaeologist from the Fujairah Department of Archaeology and Heritage, expects construction to be completed by the end of this year.

The rock wall will measure 1,800 metres in length and between 2.25 and 2.50 metres in height. It will surround the newly-renovated Old Fort of Fujairah, and other historical remains, such as rulers' castles. "Actually, we are not building a new wall," Hassan said.

"There used to be an old wall surrounding the whole area, which served to protect the area from enemies in the past, but it was completely destroyed. We are now re-building the same wall, using the same materials."

Indigenous rocks and stones similar to the ones that make up the Old Fort are being used. A special mud called 'Sarouj' is being used for mortar.

"The wall will have several six-metre high towers on each corner surrounding the location to give the site a touch from the past. Each small tower will have narrow holes and windows from which soldiers would throw their arrows at the enemy," explained Hassan.

The wall will help surround the most valuable area in Fujairah in terms of heritage and archaeology. It will help preserve the many historical remains and castles which are still being renovated.

"The wall is a part of a massive project to establish an actual heritage village in Fujairah. "While we are building the wall, some other archaeological experts are busy renovating some of the old houses and castles in the area," he pointed out.

Hassan noted that the heritage village project will include the Old Fort of Fujairah, the palace of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, father of the Ruler of Fujairah, and the Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamdan, in addition to some other related palaces of sheikhs, homes of nationals, the old market, shops and the old mosque.

"Inside this sample of the very old city of Fujairah, we are planning to establish the new Fujairah Museum and to set up a Roman amphitheatre with steps on which we can hold archaeological, cultural festivals and other folk dances and songs," Hassan said.