Just north of the modern high-rises of the cosmopolitan city of Doha, visit the Barzan Towers, striking three-story buildings that are representative of earlier times. Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, who founded the nearby village, built the structures over a century ago as watchtowers guarding a green space where rainwater collected.
Look up at the western tower called Barzan, which means high place. It rises to 52 feet (16 meters) above the sandy surroundings. From this spot, guards were able to look east to the ocean to watch for pearl divers and approaching ships and study the phases of the moon. The crescent moon shape at the top of one of the towers is an important Islamic symbol for the start of the month.
The tower walls are 3 feet (1 meter) thick, partly for strength, but also to keep the interior cool. Inside the buildings are a receiving area and a mosque with a prayer room used as a school for teaching the Holy Quran to children.
Notice the marazims extending outside several feet from near the tops of the walls. These wooden drains collect rainwater during heavy storms and channel it away from the walls. If the towers are closed for an extended period, view them from one of the streets surrounding the complex.
The Barzan Towers site is about 14 miles (22 kilometers) north of Downtown Doha in the village of Umm Salal Mohammed. Travel to the area in roughly 30 minutes driving or 1 hour by bus.
After viewing the towers, drive another 10 minutes north to Barzan Olympic Park for family fun at a shaded playground, children’s train ride and leaping water fountain for kids to run through. Indoor pools, tennis courts and athletic fields are also available for all ages to enjoy.
