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Forts and Castles are Oman's most
striking cultural landmarks and, together with its towers and city walls, they
have historically been used as defensive bastions or look-out points. Forts were
often the seats of administrative and judicial authority. There are over 500
forts, castles and towers in Oman which has a coastline of 1,700 kms, so they
were needed to protect it from potential invaders. The architectural styles
vary, being determined by the architects who built them or the periods in which
they were built.
Jalali and Mirani are among Oman's
most famous forts stand at the entrance to Muscat bay. Mirani, which was built
before the arrival of the Portuguese, was originally shaped like a tower. Then
in 1588 the Portuguese rebuilt it on the ruins of its old structure, adding
emplacements, stores, living quarters for the commander and a place of worship.
The building was enlarged to its present size in the reign of Imam Ahmed bin
Said, the founder of the Al Busaidi state in the 18th century, and his grandson
Sayyid Said bin Sultan, at the beginning of the 19th century.
The forts of Al Jalali
and Al Mirani are the capital's most prominent landmarks and were built in the
16th century AD. The Portuguese completed their construction of Jalali Fort in
1587. Its present-day form dates from the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan, and
this Fort was restored and converted into a museum in the reign of His Majesty
Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Rustaq Fort Is
amongst the oldest, is the tallest, and is surrounded by watch towers. (Al
Batinah) originally known as Qalat Al Kisra, was built in the 13th century. It
has four towers: Al Burj Al Ahmar; Al Burj Al Hadeeth; Al Burj Al Reeh; and Al
Burj Ashiateen (which means, ominously, the devil's tower). A falaj ran through
the fort to supply water to its inhabitants. Should this become contaminated,
the inhabitants were able to rely on a well. There are many rooms to this fort
and it also boasts a mosque, weapons' room, prison, and reception area.
Bahla Fort'S Main
feature is its 7-mile long walls which were patrolled by sentries night and day.
The Fort's internal staircases and walls were built of mud, coated with gypsum
and sarooj (a traditional type of mortar) which are as hard and solid as
present-day cement. UNESCO has approved Bahla Fort and Wall for inclusion in its
World Heritage List.
Nizwa Fort was
built by Imam Sultan
bin Saif al Ya'arubi in 1668, is the biggest fort in the Arabian Peninsula with
an exterior diameter of its circular structure of 150 feet, and over 115 feet
high. The fort was once used as the Imam's headquarters and is a stronghold
designed to withstand some of the most aggressive sieges. The traditional doors
are inches deep and over the lintel of each is a hole through which boiling oil
could be poured over the marauding enemies.
Jabrin Fort
was built by Imam
Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'arubi in 1670 as a defensive stronghold and as living
accommodation for the Imam. It has rooms and ceilings decorated with fine
carvings. It has two huge towers with walls two metres thick.it was built by
Bil'arab bin Sultan, an Imam of the Ya'aruba dynasty during the 17th century. It
is one of the most impressive forts in the Sultanate and the details and
carvings in the rooms and balconies are most elaborate. Finely painted flowers
and symbols are found on the ceilings in the 'living' rooms. The tomb of Imam
Bil'arab remains within the fort.
Nakhl Fort (Al
Batinah) is within an hour's drive of Muscat and provides a morning of
sight-seeing. The fort is 350 years old and is set in a gorge, surrounded by a
mountain enclave. In 1990, sympathetic restoration work began, using traditional
building materials and period furnishings. The carved master gate is believed to
date back to the 1830's during the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan.
Al Hazm Castle is
located in Al Hazm town in Welayat Rustaq. It was built by Imam Sultan bin Seif
(the 2nd.) in ( 1123 A.H.–1711 A.D.) when he established Al Hazm town as a
capital of Oman instead of Rustaq. The Castle is distinctive from other Omani
Castle and forts by its magnificent shape and massive building. It contains the
tomb of its builder / Imam Sultan bin Seif (the 2nd.). It was restored by the
Ministry in ( 1416 A.H. - 1996 A.D. ).
Sohar Fort is located
in Harat Al Hajara in Sohar town. Dated back to 179 A.H., It was renovated, to
its present shape, in the (Eighth - Ninth century A.H.) (14th A.H. - 15th A.D.).
During the reign of Imam / Nasser bin Murshid Al Ya'arubi, he was able to
conquer and expel the Portuguese from this castle. Sohar castle remained as
administration Centre for the ruling Al Busaid dynasty. The Ministry restored
the Fort in 1985 and used it as a museum in 1993.
Mirbat Castle
dates back to the
19th. century or earlier than that and located in the Welayat of Mirbat in
Dhofar Governorate. This castle played defensive and administrative roles
throughout history. It was restored by the Ministry in 1991 and was officially
opened in 1996 on the occasion of the Year of Heritage. It was furnished and
equipped with handicrafts from Dhofar Governorate and from the other Regions of
Oman.
Khassab Castle is
located opposite to
the seacoast in Welayat Khasab in the north of Oman. It consists of four
buildings surrounded by a wall and it was built in the sixth century A.D. The
Ministry restored it in 1989.
Al Mintrib Castle
is one of the oldest
castles in Welayat Badiya. Built during the reign of Imam / A'zzan bin Qais Al
Busaid ( 1285 A.H. - 1868 ) and was used in the past as a center for the Welayat.
The Ministry restored it in 1989.
Al Khandaq Castle is
located in Hamasa town in Welayat Buraimi. It was called ( Al Khandaq ) because
of the ditch surrounding it . It is a square shape building with four circular
towers and a main gate surrounded by high fences . The Ministry restored it in
1994.
Albuquerque
in 1507 described
Sohar Fort as "a fortress of square shape, with six towers round it, having also
over the gate two very large towers". The fort was so large that it then
required over 1,000 men for its defence. |
