This is a Turkish Fort established in 1549 Al Uqair a small fishing and cargo port in ancient times which was used as the main port of entry to the Al Hasa Oasis with the largest settlement now named Hofuf. Al Uqair was an important seaport as early as the 9th century BC but experienced a resurgence around 850 AD. The fort was built by the Ottoman Turks in 1549 to protect their trade route from Hajar (Hofuf) from the Portuguese who had recently built a fort and settlement on Taraut Island to the north near Qatif.
