SITE OF A

Unique irrigation system

Masafi Fort is located in the Masafi area, approximately 30 km from the city of Fujairah. It occupied a strategic location linking Fujairah with the other emirates of the country.
The construction of Masafi Fort is believed to date back to the 18th century AD. The fort was built using mud, stone, and sarooj mortar. It is situated on a small, low hill and features a square layout. The fort includes a single circular tower located at its southwestern corner. The remaining section of the tower stands approximately 8.8 meters high and has an internal diameter of 5 meters.
Within the courtyard of the fort are several rooms constructed during different historical periods. Beneath the fort lie aflaj water channels extending for several kilometers and dating back to the Iron Age. These channels were used to irrigate farms in the area and neighboring regions. Near the fort are also the remains of a rectangular mosque situated on flat land north of the hill on which the fort stands. The mosque contains a mihrab and measures approximately 5.80 × 8.89 meters internally.
Masafi is well known for its abundant fresh water, farms, and orchards, and it has long served as a resting place for travelers.
In 2006, the Department of Antiquities, in cooperation with the Japanese Archaeological Mission, conducted archaeological excavations that uncovered the structural foundations of the buildings surrounding the tower.
The Department of Tourism and Antiquities carried out restoration work on the site between 2009 and 2012.