Barzan Towers, Umm Salal Mohammed

Overview

Barzan Towers are a pair of traditional watchtowers in the village of Umm Salal Mohammed, about 20 km north of Doha. The name Barzan is usually translated as "high place". The towers once watched over the farmland and wells around the village. Please note: as of September 2026, Qatar Museums lists the site as temporarily closed until further notice, so you may only be able to see the towers from outside.

The towers are a good example of Qatari building methods before oil wealth. Their thick walls are made of coral stone and limestone, bound with mud and finished in plaster. The site also includes a restored madrasa, a mosque and a garden of native plants. It is a short, quiet stop, best combined with nearby Umm Salal Mohammed Fort or a drive north.

History and background

According to Qatar Museums, the western tower was built between 1910 and 1916 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani. It formed part of a protective wall around the village and its gardens. The eastern tower was added after 1958 and matches it in height. Some sources describe an older, late 19th-century structure that was rebuilt in 1910.

The two towers differ in shape. The western tower has an unusual T-shaped plan, while the eastern one follows the rectangular form typical of Qatari towers. They stand around 14 to 16 metres tall, with walls about one metre thick, and a roof built of wooden poles, bamboo, mud and mangrove branches.

Besides guarding wells and farmland, the towers are said to have served as lookouts for approaching ships and to help observe the moon for the Islamic calendar. The site was restored, most recently in 2014, and is managed by Qatar Museums.

What to see at Barzan Towers

1. The two towers

   Compare the T-shaped western tower with the rectangular eastern tower. The difference shows how local builders adapted a shared style over several decades of the 20th century.

2. Traditional building materials

   Look closely at the coral stone and limestone walls and the plaster finish. The roof layers of poles, bamboo, mud and mangrove branches kept interiors cool.

3. Restored madrasa and mosque

   The heritage site includes a restored madrasa, or religious school, and a small mosque. They give a sense of village life in the early 20th century.

4. Garden of native plants

   A garden with plants indigenous to Qatar surrounds part of the site. It is a quiet spot and a reminder that this was once farmland fed by wells.

5. Photography from outside

   Even while the site is closed, the towers can be photographed from the surrounding area. Late afternoon light suits the pale stone and plaster walls best.

6. Umm Salal Mohammed Fort

   The historic fort of Umm Salal Mohammed is close by, making it easy to see two heritage sites of the same village in one short trip.

How to get to Barzan Towers

Tips for your visit

• Check the Qatar Museums website before you go; the site is listed as temporarily closed.
• You can still view and photograph the towers from outside.
• There is no metro nearby, so plan to drive or take a taxi.
• Pair the visit with Umm Salal Mohammed Fort to make the trip worthwhile.
• Bring water and a hat; there is little shade.
• Dress modestly, as there is a working mosque on the site.

Facilities

Frequently asked questions