Fort Qutuf

Let's dive for a moment in the troubled times of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The oasis of Liwa was the most luxuriant of the great empty quarter, and a source of temptation for many nomadic tribes roaming the desert. We have very little information about the Liwa Oasis forts, built at times when few people could write, and few educated foreigners had reached the area. But we can assume that the fort Qutuf was erected at that time, with the mission to protect a water point and cultures, perhaps also an essential and strategic crossing point. Restored by the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, the fort today looks brand new with no scratch of time.

Fort Qutuf is small, with a single guard tower accessible from the terrace. The entrance to the fort is located in the corner of the wall and gives access to the inner courtyard. Some rooms dedicated to housing and storage of food are located on the ground floor. A staircase leads to the roof terrace on which is erected the tower.

Behind the fort, from the terrace, we see a small mosque with its minaret (which can not be visited). From this vantage point, admire the palm plantations and the sand dunes.

Located in a poorly mapped area, the Qutuf fort, not visible from the main road, it may be hard for you to reach it if you do not follow very carefully our instructions.

Since Fort Dhafeer, which was probably your previous stop, count exactly 3 kilometers and 600 meters. Drive very slowly because if you miss the intersection, on this four-lane road, you will have to make two half turns and try again. The road climbs and then suddenly descends, it is at this precise moment that you must immediately turn to the right, on a road parallel to the main road, and descending into a hollow.

The discovery of Fort Qutuf is usually done as part of the Liwa Oasis Fort Tour. On this same road, do not miss the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Resort Desert Resort and the highest dune in the UAE.

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