By Mahmoud Zakaria
When remembering Kuwait, one must always remember the historic walls that once encircled the city. These walls represent significant monuments in Kuwait’s history, symbolizing the city’s defense against aggressors. Kuwait is known for its three historical walls made of mud, which served as defensive lines:
The First Wall: This wall was constructed during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Sabah, the second ruler of Kuwait (1776–1814), in 1793. It was 750 meters long and surrounded Kuwait City to protect it from external threats.
The Second Wall: Built in 1811, this wall took two months to complete and stretched 2,300 meters. It featured five wooden gates (darwazas) named Al-Badr, Al-Fedagh, Al-Sabaan, Al-Sanger, Al-Abdulrazzaq, Al-Qarwia and Bin Butti. Historical sources indicate that this wall stood for about 70 years until it was destroyed by climatic factors.
The Third Wall: This wall was erected in 1920 during the period of Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (1864–1921), the ninth ruler of Kuwait. It was 6,400 meters long. Construction began during the holy month of Ramadan in the summer, showcasing the dedication of the Kuwaiti people. Many donated money and construction tools for its completion. This wall included five gates: Darwazat Dasman, Darwazat Al Shaab, Darwazat Al Shamia, Darwazat Al Jahra, and Darwazat Al Maqsab.
With the discovery of oil and subsequent economic and urban development, the wall was removed in 1957. However, the five gates were preserved and remain today as cultural symbols, representing the unity and resilience of the Kuwaiti people in defending and progressing their nation over time.