Ruwayda

Ruwayda (Arabic: الرويضة) is a ruined town in northern Qatar. Extending over a length of 2.5 km along the coastline, it constitutes one of Qatar's largest archaeological sites as well as containing its largest fort. The town was likely inhabited from the 1500s to the late 1700s.

Ruwayda's early history is largely unknown. A map dating to 1563 created by Portuguese cartographer Lázaro Luís depicts Sidade de Catar, the earliest depiction of any specific settlement in Qatar. Some historians believe that it refers to Ruwayda due to the apparent Portuguese architectural style of its fort, though there remains much ambiguity as to the location's true identity.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.