Kuba Castle Farewell Hill (Müderrec)

During World War I (1914-1918), the Ottoman Empire entered the war against England and its allies. With the outbreak of the Arab Revolt (1916) supported by the British in the Arabian Peninsula, Medina became the only significant city under Ottoman control. Despite the existence of the Hejaz Railway, Medina was besieged by land. Fahreddin Pasha (Fahreddin Türkkan, 1868-1948) did not surrender Medina despite this siege and was referred to in history as the "Lion of Medina." Even when the war ended and the Armistice of Mudros was signed, Fahreddin Pasha, who refused to surrender, ultimately had to leave Medina in early 1919. Various posts and positions were constructed in different areas as part of the defense line that Fahreddin Pasha built to defend Medina. Müderrec Hill in the Kuba region was fortified as part of this defense line. The remains of this historical position have been preserved as concrete evidence of the Ottoman defense of Medina. [Source: "Fahreddin Pasha", TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/fahreddin-pasa; "Hejaz Railway", TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/hicaz-demiryolu]