Located in the centre of Al Ain, Al Murabba Fort takes its name from the large, rectangular, three-storey tower that dominates its low walled courtyard. The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan ordered its construction in 1948 when he was ruler of the Eastern Region; it would serve both as a watchtower and as a headquarters for the royal guards. The fort became a focal point for the community, providing a venue for wedding ceremonies, religious festivals such as Ramadan, and formal appointments; at times it has also been used as a prison and a police station.