SAKAKA — The archaeological Marid Castle is located in the old city in Dumat Al-Jandal and overlooks the city from the highest hill with an altitude of 620 meters above sea level and is considered among the top archaeological and historical sites in Al-Jouf Region.

It is witnessing a qualitative leap in the tourist sector due to what it enjoys of historical, archaeological and natural elements.

The oldest mention of the castle dates back to the 3rd century AD, when the Queen Zenobia of the Palmyrene Empire invaded Dawmat Al-Jandal and could not break into the castle. The Queen said at the time: "Marid has rebelled, and Ablaq has glorified."

Marid Castle is characterized by its four cone-shaped towers and includes buildings from various patterns and times, starting from the Nabatean era, post-Islam era and till 80 years ago.

The main building of the castle has two stories, with the lower being built from stones and the upper from mud, and has two wells and chambers for guards, archers and observation.

The castle is surrounded by a wall with openings for observation and has two entrances, one from the south and the other from the north.

The castle had archaeological pieces dating back to the Nabatean era, where excavations in 1976 resulted in finding Nabatean and Roman mosaic dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, which highlights the rich history of this castle. — SPA