By Khaled Al-Miraih

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

ABHA — Abu Siraj castles in Al-Aziziya village, overlooking Al-Souda area in Asir region have been refurbished and are now ready to receive tourists and visitors.

The castles were built by Wazie and Aziz, two brothers from Abu Siraj family about two centuries ago and were refurbished by their grandson Abdulaziz Abu Siraj.

He said a family coffee shop was opened at the entrance of the castles. "The coffee shop has a panoramic view of an extensive area of green," he added.

Siraj expects the project to be opened early August and said the castles will be a gathering area for workers in the Hiking road which is a joint project between the World Bank and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.

"The castles have a roof restaurant, a museum, a document exhibition and a photograph studio," he said.

Siraj said each of the six castles is made up of six stories and together they have a three-story fortress for protection against invading enemies.

He said he had used the most uptodate methods of construction to preserve the historic nature of the castles which will be a tourist attraction to Asir residents and visitors coming from outside.