Manikh Watchtower






At the top of the Manikh Plateau, located to the southwest of the old town in Al-Majmaah, stands Manikh Watchtower like a vigilant eye guarding the town. This tower was built in 820 AH in the early stages of the emergence of Manikh (Al-Majmaah). It has a cylindrical-conical design, with its walls gradually narrowing as one ascends the staircase. Featuring traditional Najdi architectural style, mud bricks are the main construction material, while stone foundations were used as additional reinforcement. The tower is furnished with loopholes that were used for surveillance and firing weapons. Manikh Watchtower played a pivotal role in the lives of local residents, serving as a strategic watchtower and a defensive fortress that helped safeguard and secure the town on all sides. The tower was also instrumental in monitoring the movement of passing commercial caravans and as an early detection and warning center, monitoring flashfloods during the rainy seasons. It is a relatively large tower, surrounded by a wall on the western side. It has undergone restoration work that preserved its historic character and improved the surrounding area. The Manikh Watchtower Visitor Center has been opened recently. It provides visitors with a comprehensive overview of the history of Al-Majmaah and Sudair districts through interactive displays. A hall furnished with a large screen is dedicated to displaying detailed information about the watchtower and its history. Today, the watchtower represents a historical landmark, connecting the past with the present. Visitors can learn about aspects of the history of Najd in a cultural experience that combines originality with the aesthetics of modern presentation.

