David Gabis Photography Blog

  Al Hayl Fort, Fujairah United Arab Emirates Al Hayl (Hail) Fortress which occupies an important strategic position and a unity point for the road to Fujairah was built in 1930 (as per the latest research) at west bank of the valley of Al Hayl on a mountain, in the era of Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi. Al Hayl Fort is a fortified courtyard house, an associated watchtower and overlook the village abandoned in the late 1970s. The watchtower with commanding views to the East and West of Wadi Hayl

Medieval Carcassonne is a fortified town rather than a castle - and perhaps the most impressive fortified medieval town to be found. Which is ironic, because in the middle of the 19th century it was in such bad repair that it became scheduled for demolition, to be saved by the efforts of the local mayor, who called in the new 'historic monuments' department to take a look. The main entrance of the fortified city The city was saved, the well known architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc took the renovation project in hand, and the rest, as they say, is history. Panoramic view of the castle inside the fortified city Due to its position on historical routes across France the location has been occupied for more than 5,000 years, and was an important centre from 2,500 years ago onwards. It was first fortified by the Romans, and given the name Carcaso. After the Romans were driven out Carcassonne fell in the hands of various of the invading tribes, and became more fortif...