Tabuk Castle
Castle of Tabuk (2022)
Location	Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Coordinates	28°22′58″N 36°33′24″E / 28.38278°N 36.55667°E / 28.38278; 36.55667
Built	1559; 465 years ago (1559)
Current use	Museum
Governing body	Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage
Location of Tabuk Castle in Saudi Arabia

Tabuk Castle (Arabic: قلعة تبوك, qalʿat tabūk) is an ancient castle in Tabuk, the capital city of the Tabuk Region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, which dates back to 1559.^[1] The castle has been rehabilitated and transformed into a museum open to all visitors.^[2]

History

Although it is believed that castle was built about 3500 BC and mentioned in the Quran as of Aṣḥāb al-Aykah (Arabic: أَصْـحَـاب الْأَيْـكَـة "Companions of the Wood"),^[3][4] the known origin dates back to 1559.^[1] It was constructed to protect the water station as well as for security and surveillance purposes and was one of the stations on the Levant-Medina Haj road to welcome the pilgrims.^[2][1][4]

Structure

The castle consists of two stories connected by a stairway and encompassing a mosque and various rooms where the second floor involves an open mosque.^[1]