Look: This Sharjah resort built on 100-year-old site takes residents back in time

UAE residents have the opportunity to be transported back in time at a resort built on a decades-old site in Khor Fakkan. Set within the historic village of Najd Al Meqsar, the hotel with the same name has converted seven houses — which are believed to be over 100 years old — into rooms that the public can stay in.

Perched upon the mountains, the traditional ‘Kareen Houses’ — a name given to homes with triangular-shaped roofs made of palm fronds — are constructed using clay and stones to pay homage to the Emirati culture.

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Each house has its own outside seating area overlooking the sea and is arranged in a cascading manner. There are no elevators, swimming pools or other such amenities typically associated with a resort.

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Hotel guests can hike up a trail to the nearby Al Meqsar Fortress, which was established nearly three centuries ago on the summit of the mountain, to serve as a watch tower.

This fortress along with the Al Rabi and Al Adwani Tower were used to look out for possible intruders coming through the Indian Ocean and protect Khor Fakkan. Another trail takes guests to the Al Rafisah Dam area.

Food is served at Wishi restaurant located below the mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the area.

Inaugurated less than a year ago, Najd Al Meqsar is a retreat within the Sharjah Collection, managed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).

Historical significance 

The Najd Al Meqsar village is located at the head of Wadi Shie on which the Rafisah Dam is built. The wadi is at an important archeological site where rock carvings which could date back to the Iron Age have been found. According to historical articles, the land was inhabited by a tribe, who settled near the abundant water source of the nearby wadi which allowed for an 'al falaj' irrigation system.

However, as floods became more frequent during some years of the month, the tribe built houses for their families on top of the mountain surrounding the Al Meqsar Fortress.

Overlooking the town of Khor Fakkan at an altitude of about 220m above sea level, this settlement consisted of 13 houses. It is believed that tribespeople shifted into these mountain homes during the rainy season.

There is also historical evidence that a mass exodus took place when people moved from Khor Fakkan to the Najd Al Meqsar settlement to seek shelter during a time when the Portuguese colonised the region. Of these 13 homes, only seven have stood the test of time and these are the ones that have been carefully converted into hotel rooms. 

It was in 2019 that Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued a directive to restore areas of historical significance in Khor Fakkan.

He formed specialised teams, hosted antiquities missions, and signed MoUs with various government entities for the ongoing project. Apart from the Najd Al Meqsar village, the Khor Fakkan Fort, Al Adwani Tower and other historic landmarks were also restored.

• Sharjah

Nasreen Abdulla

nasreen@khaleejtimes.com

Nasreen Abdulla is a Special Correspondent covering food, tech and human interest stories. When not challenged by deadlines, you’ll find her pulling off submissions on the jiu jitsu mats.