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Crease Archaeological Tower: Jubail's 1928 Watchtower
The Crease Archaeological Tower is a mud and stone watchtower in the western part of Jubail's old town. Visit Saudi dates it to 1928, built on the order of King Abdulaziz to guard the Crease Well beside it. Entry needs no ticket, and the tower makes a short, rewarding stop on an old town afternoon.
What is the Crease Tower?
It is one of the few buildings in Jubail that predates the Industrial City. According to Visit Saudi, the tower guarded the neighbouring Crease Well and the coastal towns and villages around it. Wikipedia also calls it Tuwayah Tower and notes the well was a key water source for Jubail.
The design follows old Najdi architecture. Visit Saudi gives these details:
- Built of stone and mud
- About 12 metres high and about 9 metres in diameter
- Three floors
- Thick walls with openings for guards to defend the site
The name comes from the area itself. Visit Saudi says "crease" refers to the sandstorms common there, in the local dialect.
Where is the Crease Tower?
The tower stands in the western part of Al Jubail, the old town (Jubail Balad), not in Jubail Industrial City. Visit Saudi's directions link points to 27.01279, 49.63698, and an OpenStreetMap historic marker sits about 15 m from that point.
Not sure how the old town and the Industrial City fit together? See Jubail facts.
How do you get there?
Drive or take a ride-hailing car; Jubail is spread out and the tower is not on a walking route from the beaches. Road distances from the tower (OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, October 2026):
| From | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Al Jubail Mall, old town | about 3 km | about 5 minutes |
| Marina Boating Fanateer, Industrial City | about 20 km | about 18 minutes |
| King Fahd International Airport (DMM) | about 81 km | about 56 minutes |
Airport transfer options are on Airport to Jubail transport.
What should you know before you go?
Visit Saudi publishes no opening hours, so go in daylight and allow about half an hour. Our tips:
- Go early or late in the day; the site is outdoors with little shade.
- Bring water, especially in the summer months.
- Admire the walls rather than climbing them; the tower is a historic mud structure.
- Combine it with Al Jubail Mall or a slow drive through the older districts.
Dress and photography etiquette are on Jubail travel tips.
FAQ
Do you need a ticket for the Crease Tower?
No. Visit Saudi states that you do not need a ticket to enter the Crease Archaeological Tower, and lists it as suitable for all ages, families and friends. Opening hours are not published, so plan your visit for daylight and treat it as a short stop.
How old is the Crease Tower in Jubail?
Visit Saudi dates the tower to 1928, built on the order of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Saudipedia gives the same year, and Wikipedia says it was built around 1928. An Arab News article from 2014 gives 1929, so you may see both dates.
Sources and last checked
Last checked: October 2026. All pages accessed 7 October 2026.
- Visit Saudi, Crease Archaeological Tower, Saudi Tourism Authority (primary)
- Saudipedia, Jubail Governorate (secondary)
- Wikipedia, Jubail (secondary)
- OpenStreetMap, historic node near the tower (secondary)
- Arab News, Jubail: The Eastern Province's jewel, 12 November 2014 (secondary)
- Road distances: OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, calculated October 2026