UAQ National Museum, Umm Al Quawain, United Arab Emirates
Umm Al Quwain Fort, sometimes also called Fort Al Ali, lies in the center of the city with the same name, in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates.
Umm Al Quwain Fort was built in 1786 by Sheikh Rashid I bin Majid Mu’alla. It had to protect the town and harbor and was used as the Sheikh’s residence and a seat for his Government.
In 1929 the ruling Sheikh; Hamad bin Ibrahim Al Mu’alla, was shot by 2 of his cousins in the western tower in an attempt to take over power. The people of Umm Al Quwain however were furious and the cousins took shelter in the fort. Several notables decided that the best course of action was to destroy the fort with the use of a cannon. This failed when the cousins shot the people who were towing the cannon towards the fort. After that a moat was dug around the fort which was filled with palm leaves. These were set alight after which also the fort fell prey to the fire, killing the rebellious cousins.
Umm Al Quwain Fort kept its role as Sheikh’s residence and seat of Government up until 1969. After that it turned into a police station. In 2000 it opened as a museum after a restoration.
The fort has a rectangular ground plan with one round corner tower and a larger round tower in the west wall.
Own or work here?
