Jazan Castle

Jazan Castle sits atop a high hill in the centre of Jizan City. Its location holds strategic importance, as it overlooks the sea and all the city's neighbourhoods. Nothing is known about its construction date or builder, but its architecture is estimated to date back to the 13^th century AH / 18^th century AD. Specialists link it to Farasan Castle, known as the Castle of the Turks, due to their architectural similarities. Thus, it may have been built by the Ottomans.

This castle was also known as Al-Dawsariya Castle, and later as Al-Laselki (Wireless) Castle, because the Saudi government installed a wireless telegraph device atop it during its early era.

With a rectangular footprint and multiple stories, the castle’s sturdy structure combines volcanic stone and fired brick, coated in mud and gypsum plaster and crowned by a roof of heavy timber beams. The wood was replaced by iron bars during its last restoration when it served as headquarters for a battalion of Saudi forces stationed in the Jazan Region previously.

To this day, the castle remains largely intact and retains its general shape, despite some cracks and fissures in its walls, stairs, and roofs. Underground corridors (vestibules) in the castle floor lead downwards. The walls were fitted with small loopholes through which rifle barrels could be aimed.

Throughout its long history, the castle has witnessed several historical events. In 1351 AH / 1932 AD, the Saudi garrison took refuge within it while being besieged by Al-Hasan al-Idrisi, who had rebelled against Saudi rule. After security and stability returned to the region, it was used as headquarters for a Saudi battalion.