These dovecotes are amongst the most original and intriguing attractions in the country. The towers can accommodate thousands of pigeons while their shape facilitates the collection of their droppings, which are used as fertilizer by farmers. Located north of Doha between West Bay and The Pearl, the Katara Cultural Village – Katara was the historic name of Qatar until the 18th century – opened in October 2010. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani – Emir of Qatar between 1995 and 2015 – imagined Katara as a patchwork of cultural facilities diverse in style and function, such as the Turkish-Persian mosque, the Greek-inspired amphitheatre, or the Qatari dovecotes (photo). All buildings were deliberately constructed in a haphazard manner to give the appearance of a “Fereej”, the traditional Qatari neighbourhood.