Joanna James
Do you enjoy travelling through time? We mean in your imagination as you visit ancient sites of glory and wondrous tales. The countries that were part of ancient civilizations and years of international trade offer fascinating historical glimpses. And Qatar is one of those places, where ancient vibes still linger.
The traditional Souq Waqif market is located on an age-old trading ground. Long ago, traders used it as a trading centre for animals. Today, it is a popular shopping centre in Doha, but the distinct design and its innate beauty draw travellers to explore it. Souq Waqif is located not too far away from the main 5 star hotels in Doha. For example, you can walk to the market in under 5 minutes from the Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli. Admittedly, the market is a popular site in the modern era with cafés and shops in abundance. But they have successfully retained the essence of the ancient market. You don't have to pay a fee to enter the market, and exploring it is rather fun. Do take time to enjoy a cuppa.
Relive Qatar's ancient way of life at the Msheireb Museums. They have restored four abandoned ancient houses to tell you stories of the old world. The museum is full of four historic houses – the Mohammed Bin Jassim House, Company House, Radwani House and Bin Jelmood House. These houses depict ancient Qatar's milestone periods and celebrated personalities. You can catch glimpses of life before the modern era in this country when you visit the four heritage houses. Mohammed Bin Jassim shows the way of life in Qatar as it used to be. The Radwani House is furnished the way they used to do ages ago.
Barzan Towers are iconic heritage landmarks in Qatar. Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani commissioned these towers in the 19th century. The towers were built to keep an eye on Ottoman invaders. But there was a second more religious purpose to these tall structures. They used the height advantage to keep track of the moon's movements and dates during Ramadan. The vast Arabain skies provide a timeless backdrop to the Barzan Towers.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is made up of a trio of circular towers and a lone rectangular one. Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani commissioned this structure in 1938 to serve the purpose of a coast guard. Today, they use it as a museum to depict Qatari history. You can make your trip to the Al Zubara Fort a one-day adventure. Take plenty of snacks and water and avoid going there during midday.
This historical site once played a key role in the famous battle of 1893, when Qatari fighters defeated the Ottoman invaders. The four watchtowers on site make this structure a fascinating specimen of architecture. The buildings once served as residences to Sheiks, hence there is a sense of mystical glory in the air.
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