The sun behind the clouds

It is difficult to imagine that in a such a modern city where high buildings, highways and malls with futuristic decoration are venerated, can be something we could call “old town”. There are almost no vestiges remaining of that small fishing village in the seventeenth century but, if ones explores carefully, it is possible to find historical treasures which are well worth visiting. Last weekend I could participate in one of the guided tour organized by AWARE in order to make known those few urban remains which survived the fierce construction fever in this country.

The first spot in our itinerary, just next to the Grand Mosque, was Al-Khalifa mosque. It was built in 1714 and it is one of the oldest in the country and one of the best conserved from this period. It is a small building, without too many ornaments, in which the minaret is one of the most remarkable parts. There are several mosques belonging to this age around the city center, contrasting with the modern buildings next to them, resisting the unstoppable urban development.

Inside the mosque

Another place among the most ancient ones in Kuwait is Shamiya Gate, one of the original entrances in the first city walls. It was built in the eighteenth century, when the city started to be popular and it became the target of rival tribes searching for resources. The first oil wells were not discovered yet, however, at that time the city of Kuwait was already quite famous as a commercial port, being one of the most important in the route between India and East Africa coasts.

The next place we visited was the Naif Palace. It was built at the beginning of the twentieth century in the interests of security and defense of the city. It was considered as a paramount part in the second defensive line after the city walls, hosting a big amount of military troops, weapons and ammunition. Nowadays it is still an important political and social center. During the visit we could see the cells where the war prisoners were guarded and a small museum about antique objects, old photos and other memorabilia from the Kuwaiti past.

Main yard inside the palace with the Liberation Tower in the background

Raise your hand if you ever used this before

After Naif Palace, the tour ended but I continued exploring the surroundings by myself until I arrived to other of the main landmarks, Al-Mubarakiya Souk, one of the most genuine places in the city. Here you can spend easily several hours among all kind of stalls. It is also one of the best areas to enjoy local food for very affordable prices. Maybe I should dedicate a special post in the future for this place, one of my favorite ones since I arrived so far.

One of the entrances to the Souq

So, if you come to pay me a visit, you already know that you will be able to see more than malls. I still have to visit Falaika Island, where I am thinking to go before than the heat comes back. Now it is the best moment for going out, no doubt, but people say that it will really cold soon, and I may need some extra warm clothes, let’s see.