FALAYAH
The summer residence of the Quwasim in Ras al-Khaimah, U.A.E.
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FALAYAHThe summer residence of the Quwasim in Ras al-Khaimah, U.A.E. |
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| The mosque The fortified farmstead |
Falayah was built in the 18th century serving as a summer residence for the ruling Quwasim family. Being surrounded by palm gardens and scattered houses it provided a retreat from the town of Ras al-Khaimah during the summer heat. Its historical importance dates back to the war between the Quwasim and the British/Omani forces in 1819. In the summer of 1820 a peace treaty between the Sheikhs of the Gulf coast and the British Government was signed in Falayah. This treaty can be seen as the foundation of the United Arab Emirates. The complex consists of three stone buildings close to a Wadi and surrounded by palm gardens. They were part of the prosperous string of gardens along the edge of the Wadi Bih fan. Its high water table due to the collected water of the Ru'us al-Jibal enabled a fertile garden area, stretching from Shimal in the north to Fahlain in the south. In 1999 Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi, Director of the Department of Antiquities and Museums and Deputy Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, decided to restore the historical complex and open it for the public. Besides the restorations excavations were started to clarify the history of the complex. This work is still running and a preliminary overview can be given in the following pages.
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