Interested in historic buildings and forts? Dhayah Fort is a symbol of resilience. Standing at the top of a 70-metre hill in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), it is the highest hilltop fort.
Listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, the fort represents history and Emirati culture into the past with its unique architecture, stunning views and tales of battles fought. From the palm trees to the dramatic Jebel Jais mountains, Dhayah Fort provides visitors with a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Here’s what travellers should seek as a piece of information before visiting Dhayah Fort, the rich tapestry of Ras Al Khaimah’s legacy.
- Cultural Landscape
- Historical and Archaeological Riches
- Government and United Nations Recognition
- Nearby Attraction
- Nearby Communities
- Location
- Visiting Time
- FAQs
A Brief Overview of Dhayah Fort
Located in Ras Al Khaimah, Dhayah Fort stands as a remarkable testament to the region’s rich history and natural beauty. The site represents resilience and defence in the battles. Its geographical features, archaeological significance, and traditional land-use systems make it a part of UAE culture and heritage.
Cultural Landscape of Dhayah Fort
If you are looking for free things to do in Ras Al Khaimah, you can climb the mountain to reach Dhayah Fort. It is a natural heaven site, surrounded by steep mountains reaching heights of 850 metres on three sides and connected by a lagoon to the west. Dhayah’s crescent-shaped gravel plain has been a hub of human activity for over 5,000 years.
The area is full of rich fertile palm gardens, acacia forests, mangrove-covered lagoons, and marine habitats, offering a picture of the Northern Emirates’ natural bounty. It is located on an iconic conical hill, a natural fortress that has served as a defensive stronghold and settlement site for millennia. Besides, those living in Al Rams can easily reach this historical fort.
Historical and Archaeological Riches
Dhayah Fort also features an impressive array of historical and archaeological riches:
The Lagoon
The lagoons are protected by the island of Jazirat al-Hulaylah and it has been a vital source of life and commerce since the early Islamic period. Its historical importance can be highlighted by the settlements of Omayyad and Abbasid in their eras.
Palm Gardens and Fort
The lush gardens represent some of the last surviving natural palm groves in the UAE and rely on traditional well-based irrigation systems. Adjacent to the gardens lies a mudbrick fort, a former residence of the ruling sheikh, which shows the strategic importance of this area.
Hill Fort
Hill Fort rises at 70 metres above the palm gardens and has been a centre of settlement since the Late Bronze Age. The fort at the top of Dhayah Hill is a fortress from the 1800s built on older ruins, offering amazing views of the area and standing as a reminder of Dhayah’s strong history, including the famous 1819 battle against British forces.
Gravel Plain and Prehistoric Tombs
Dhayah’s gravel plain is the home of ancient Wadi Suq tombs and it is one of the best-preserved burial sites in Southeast Arabia. Its amazing structures give us important clues about old burial traditions and the region’s rich history.
Mountain Villages and Terraced Fields
The terraced villages and fields along the steep Ru’us al-Jabal mountains show how clever the people of Dhayah were. They built these structures to collect rainwater and grow crops, making the dry land useful for farming.
Government and United Nations Recognition
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has declared Dhayah and Hulaylah Island as protected archaeological zones. Archaeological fieldwork conducted has documented and preserved these treasures since 1970, solidifying Dhayah’s authenticity and integrity as a cultural heritage site.
At last, Dhayah’s cultural landscape also meets UNESCO’s Criterion (v) as an excellent example of traditional human settlement. It shows how people adapted to and used the special features of the land to live and succeed.
Nearby Attraction
- National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah: 25 minutes away
- Mohammed Bin Salem Mosque: 25 minutes away
- Flamingo Beach: 33 minutes away
- Al Jazeera Al Hamra: 38 minutes away
Nearby Communities
- Al Rams: 9 minutes away
- Sham: 10 minutes away
- Ghalilah: 16 minutes away
Location
Northern, Dhayah Fort, Al Rams, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Visiting Time
You can visit Dhayah Fort from Monday to Sunday in the day timings from morning 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM.
FAQs
Visitors must climb 239 steps to reach the top of the fort, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Yes, Dhayah Fort is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, recognized for its cultural and historical significance.
You can explore the hill fort, the lower mudbrick fort, surrounding palm gardens, ancient Wadi Suq tombs, and terraced fields.
These were all the details about the highest hilltop fort, Dhayah Fort. Alongside this fort, you can find many things to do in RAK. If you are interested in history, you can visit museums in the UAE and learn about the Emirate culture and traditions.
