Dr Sheikh Sultan visits historic cultural sites in the Fili region on Saturday. WAM

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Saturday visited a number of historic sites in the Fili region.

During his visit, the Ruler of Sharjah was given a comprehensive overview of the Fili Road and the historical fortress, the antiques it contains, and its significance to ancient commercial life and travel.

Sheikh Sultan was also briefed on a number of maps of the heritage sites in the Fili area, as well as ongoing construction plans to restore those sites as part of a unique heritage and tourism project.

Sheikh Sultan during his visit to the Fili region on Saturday. WAM

The new construction plans will help visitors to explore the area via a single path that passes through the cafe and water trails all the way through the entrances of the Aflaj, the old police station, the castle next to it, and the other archaeological castle on the hill.

During the tour, Sheikh Sulran, listened to an explanation of the ongoing restoration work at the Fili old castle and watched a presentation about the surrounding region.

As part of the plans for the tourist, economic, and cultural development of the region, he was also briefed on the restoration of heritage sites and future development projects.

An aerial view of the Fili fortress. WAM

The significance of the Fili area originates from the fact that it was the principal water collection site, from which water was distributed to the rest of the country via the Aflaj.

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage is partnering with many government departments to promote, revitalise, and restore the region as a tourist destination and to reintroduce its great historical significance.

Sheikh Sultan checks a map of the heritage sites in Fili region.

Sheikh Sultan was accompanied by Ali Bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Public Works Department, Salah Bin Butti Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Authority of Initiatives Implementation and Infrastructure Development (Mubadara), Dr Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; and a number of prominent national officials on the tour.

WAM