Airef Castle

A'arif Fort stands out with its ancient details and reflects the rich cultural history of the city of Hail. It was built in 1840, and it was named after the mountain on which it was built. The fort is rectangular in shape, surrounded by a massive wall and sturdy wooden doors adorned with handmade engravings that narrate the beauty and fragrance of the past. The castle houses 30 towers, numerous observation holes, bedrooms, storage rooms, a prayer room, and bathrooms. It also features a cannon dating back to 1898. The 440 square-meter castle was built on top of the 650-meter-high A'arif mountain to protect the city in ancient times. It served as a military fortress to monitor armies and caravans coming to Hail. There is also a tall tower on the east side of the castle used to monitor activities outside. The best and strongest soldiers were responsible for guarding the castle. Later on, the castle was used to observe Ramadan crescent, and its cannon was used to announce the time of breaking the fast and the start of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. With seven shots, it announced the arrival of the holy month and the coming of Eid al-Fitr. Nowadays, the castle is an attractive tourist destination with its high towers and strategic location in the city of Hail. It houses a museum that attracts tourists and visitors, and from the top of the castle, you can view the nearby farms, markets, and heritage neighborhoods.