Built as a fort during the reign of Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Khalifa in 1812, while another source claim that it was built during the rule of the Persian Safavid Empire of Iran over Bahrain during the 17th century, the fort was converted into a residence in the 19th century for Shaikh Salman Bin Ahmed (Al Fateh) Al Khalifa. Riffa Fort or (Arabic: قلعة الرفاع‎; transliterated: Qal'at ar-Rifa') it is now named Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Fort offers a splendid view across the Hunanaiya valley.