This wonderful edifice, built in 1823, was Sharjah’s government headquarters and the residence of the ruling Al Qasimi family. The Fort is a square shaped construction, featuring a spacious yard in the middle. It consists of two main floors and three towers built for defensive purposes. When first built in 1823, it was considered the biggest and most important construction in Sharjah. The Fort was built out of coral stones which were collected from the deep sea waters of the Arabian Gulf; the walls were covered with a light brown plaster, and the doors were made of teak wood, while the ceilings were constructed using mangrove trunks and “Al Duun” – branches of palm trees stripped off their leaves and fibres. Here you can learn about the first jurisdiction system adopted in Sharjah in Al Muhalwasa jail, and learn how “dibs” (date syrup) was made in the past. Here, you can also discover the weapons and defence strategies used by the Sheikhs and their guards, as well as the lifestyle of the ruling family.