NAJRAN QASR AL EMARA
Emara Castle can be found easily since it is located in the town proper. It is just beside the famous Najran sooq (market) which is famous for daggers. It is a few kilometers from Al Okhdood historical site or just a 20 minutes ride within city center.
Emara Castle Backyard
Posing at the Castle Main Entrance
Emara Castle is a historical building located in the central ancient city in Najran (Aba Al Saud Historical Area), with an area of about 625 square meters. It is considered as one of the most famous heritage buildings. It is a model of the traditional architecture in the region and was constructed in 1363H. The whole Emara building was composed of 65 rooms. In the past, it was the premises of the Emara and some other government departments such as the Shari'a court, Telegram Department (Wireless Telecomm), and the police unit, and it was also used as a housing for the governor and his deputy and personal companions (khawis). The building takes the shape of a castle with high walls. There are round towers on the four corners of the castle for watching and guarding visitors and against enemy attacks. Inside the building can be found a mosque and an old well which dates back to pre-Islamic age. The castle was built from mud with its foundations built of stones. Emara Palace is one of the most prominent building in the region.
Castle Walls
The traditional architecture of Najraan region is characterized by the houses, palaces and castles built with mud and which are considered to be the most significant and unique in the Arabian Peninsula. The old Governorate or Qasr Al-Emara in "Aba As-Saud" is a magnificent and a typical representation of Najraan architectural style. It was built in 1361 AH during the period of Amir Turki Bin Mohammed Al-Madhi to serve as the Governorate and for the residence of his family and the security guards.
The thick walls of the palace are built with mud, while the narrow doors and high widows were made so for the purpose of security and defense and to keep the temperature moderate throughout the year. The roofs are covered with date logs and leaves and plastered with mud and clay. There are sixty rooms in the palace; most of them were used as Amirs offices. It is surrounded by a high wall and circular watch towers on its four corners. There is an old well located in the middle of the palace, the interior of which is lined by red baked bricks, it date back to pre-Islamic period. The palace has been restored and renovated in 1406 - 1407 AH (1986 - 1987 AD). It is being developed as an ethnological museum of the region.
At the Castle Backyard......
