Al Ghayl Fort

Al Ghayl Fort, sometimes also spelled as Al Ghail or Gheel, lies southwest of the city of Kalba, in the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

It is said that it was first built by an Ali bin Zahi. The fort was rebuilt or completed by Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi in the beginning of the 19th century. It was built on a hill and its purpose was to protect the locals and nearby caravan routes from bandits.

Al Ghayl Fort consists of a projecting round watch tower within a rectangular enclosure with several small buildings. One of the buildings holds an old Arabic date press.

Al Ghayl Fort is now part of the Kalba Birds of Prey Center. It can be visited for a fee, but only as a visitor of the bird park. The fort itself is small but especially together with the bird park worth your visit.

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