حصون «النحر» بمنطقة عسير؛ من الشواهد التاريخية البارزة الكاشفة عن عبقرية هندسية ومعمارية فريدة، أبرزها «حصن ريدة» الشاهد على عراقة البناء في بلادنا.
لم تكن الفكرة التصميمية لـ«النحر» مجرد عنصر معماري عابر، بل تعددت أغراضها بين النفعي والجمالي والمناخي والدفاعي والإنشائي، فبعض هذه الحصون استخدمت كمخازن للحبوب تؤدي وظيفة تموينية ودفاعية في آن واحد، حيث ساعدت القنوات المعمارية في التهوية والتخزين وحتى التفريغ.
من الناحية الجمالية؛ شكّل «النحر» عنصراً فنياً لافتاً يقسم الواجهة بدقة وتناظر يثير الإعجاب، رغم أن القبائل في ذلك الزمن لم تكن تعطي الجانب الجمالي أهمية كبرى مقارنة بالوظائف العملية للحصون.
المناخ بدوره كان عاملاً مؤثراً؛ إذ جرى تصميم الأبراج لتفادي أضرار الأمطار والرياح ما يعكس وعياً مبكراً بضرورة التكيف مع الطبيعة القاسية للمرتفعات.
وفي الجانب الدفاعي؛ كانت القنوات بمثابة منافذ لإلقاء الحجارة والمقذوفات على المعتدين في وظيفة مشابهة لما عُرف في العمارة الأوروبية بـ(machicolation) التي حصّنت البوابات والأسوار.
أما على الصعيد الإنشائي؛ فـ«النحر» لعب دوراً في تعزيز استقرار الأبراج المنفردة بخلاف بيوت القرى المتلاصقة التي كانت تستمد قوتها من تماسكها الهيكلي، فالحصون المرتفعة ذات البعد الرأسي الكبير احتاجت لجدران سميكة مدعومة بوسائل مبتكرة لضمان ثباتها.
هكذا؛ يتضح أن «حصون النحر» لم تكن مجرد مبانٍ حجرية شامخة، بل منظومة هندسية متكاملة جمعت بين الدفاع والجمال والوظيفة لتبقى حتى اليوم رمزاً للتاريخ والهوية والقدرة على الإبداع في مواجهة تحديات الطبيعة والزمن.
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
م. عبدالرحمن ماجد الشهيوين
Abdulrahman0130@
رئيس الجمعية السعودية للعمارة والتخطيط
The "Nahr" forts in the Asir region are prominent historical landmarks that reveal a unique architectural and engineering genius, the most notable of which is the "Rida Fort," a testament to the richness of construction in our country.
The design concept of "Nahr" was not merely a transient architectural element; its purposes varied between functional, aesthetic, climatic, defensive, and structural. Some of these forts were used as grain storage facilities, serving both supply and defensive functions simultaneously, as the architectural channels aided in ventilation, storage, and even unloading.
From an aesthetic perspective, "Nahr" formed a striking artistic element that precisely and symmetrically divides the façade, evoking admiration, even though the tribes at that time did not place great importance on the aesthetic aspect compared to the practical functions of the forts.
The climate, in turn, was a significant factor; the towers were designed to avoid the damage caused by rain and winds, reflecting an early awareness of the necessity to adapt to the harsh nature of the highlands.
On the defensive side, the channels served as openings for throwing stones and projectiles at attackers, functioning similarly to what is known in European architecture as (machicolation), which fortified gates and walls.
As for the structural aspect, "Nahr" played a role in enhancing the stability of the isolated towers, unlike the closely-knit village houses that derived their strength from their structural cohesion. The elevated forts with significant vertical dimensions required thick walls supported by innovative means to ensure their stability.
Thus, it becomes clear that the "Nahr forts" were not merely towering stone buildings but an integrated engineering system that combined defense, beauty, and functionality, remaining to this day a symbol of history, identity, and the ability to innovate in the face of the challenges of nature and time.
The design concept of "Nahr" was not merely a transient architectural element; its purposes varied between functional, aesthetic, climatic, defensive, and structural. Some of these forts were used as grain storage facilities, serving both supply and defensive functions simultaneously, as the architectural channels aided in ventilation, storage, and even unloading.
From an aesthetic perspective, "Nahr" formed a striking artistic element that precisely and symmetrically divides the façade, evoking admiration, even though the tribes at that time did not place great importance on the aesthetic aspect compared to the practical functions of the forts.
The climate, in turn, was a significant factor; the towers were designed to avoid the damage caused by rain and winds, reflecting an early awareness of the necessity to adapt to the harsh nature of the highlands.
On the defensive side, the channels served as openings for throwing stones and projectiles at attackers, functioning similarly to what is known in European architecture as (machicolation), which fortified gates and walls.
As for the structural aspect, "Nahr" played a role in enhancing the stability of the isolated towers, unlike the closely-knit village houses that derived their strength from their structural cohesion. The elevated forts with significant vertical dimensions required thick walls supported by innovative means to ensure their stability.
Thus, it becomes clear that the "Nahr forts" were not merely towering stone buildings but an integrated engineering system that combined defense, beauty, and functionality, remaining to this day a symbol of history, identity, and the ability to innovate in the face of the challenges of nature and time.
