Charming Castles and Forts in Oman

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December 8, 2024 On April 18, 2024

18 Apr

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Information about Oman Castles and Forts

Exploring the captivating castles and forts in Muscat is an intriguing journey to discover its rich history and cultural beauty. Oman’s castles are among the most important historical landmarks in the Sultanate, embodying the history and culture of this ancient country with their strength and architectural beauty. Here, we will highlight the most prominent and best castles in Oman worth visiting, which preserve a rich history and unique architectural beauty. To discover these historical sites and explore their charm, you can rely on Salalah Safari Tours, a tourism company that offers tailored packages for visiting the most beautiful castles and forts in Oman, allowing visitors to explore Omani history and culture with comfort and luxury.

Best Castles in Oman:

Oman is distinguished by its rich and abundant history, thus it is replete with many historical landmarks, especially castles and forts. Here are some of those magnificent structures:

Jalali Castle

Jalali Castle, also known as the Eastern Fort or Eastern Castle, is an archaeological fortress located on rocks overlooking the Gulf of Oman northeast of Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. It was built by the Portuguese in 1588 to replace an old building that was believed to have been an observatory. It was used as a place for political prisoners and as a defensive site to monitor the city from various directions. Its name, Jalali, is believed to derive from the Omani prince Jalal Al-Houthi Al-Balushi. Jalali Castle is located in Old Muscat at an elevation of 45 meters above sea level, overlooking the Sea of Oman. The castle was built of sandstone on ancient eastern rocks and consists of two towers connected by a wall containing eight arched openings for cannon firing. Access to the castle is via a small bridge and a staircase carved into the rock. Jalali Castle is one of the best castles in Oman, thus it has undergone multiple restoration operations over different eras. The latest was during the Omani Renaissance in 1980, and the castle was developed during the reign of Said bin Sultan at the beginning of the 19th century. During the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the castle was renovated and prepared to become a private museum. The site is also known by several names such as the Eastern Castle, Eastern Fort, San Kau, and the beauty and history of Jalali Castle cannot be ignored when visiting Oman.

Taqah Castle

Taqah Castle is located in the city of Taqah, one of the coastal cities of Dhofar Governorate, renowned for pottery, silverware, and other crafts. Taqah Castle is distinguished by its high-quality artistic colors, which set it apart from other forts. Among the distinctive features of this castle are its multiple windows, equipped with wooden lattice curtains, and arches resembling keyholes in their shape. You can join the tourist tours organized by Salalah Safari Tours to explore this magnificent castle, which is among the best castles in the Sultanate of Oman.

Sohar Castle

Sohar Castle is one of the most prominent historical landmarks in the Sultanate and one of the best castles in Oman. It is one of the most important forts in the North Al Batinah Governorate, due to its prominent location and the significant role it played over the centuries. Its construction dates back to the late 13th and early 14th centuries AD, and archaeological excavations conducted around the castle in 1980 revealed that it dates back to the 14th century AD, at the southern end of the city, where the princes of Hormuz built it during the reign of the kings of the Nabhani dynasty. Sohar Castle stands witness to the history of Omanis and is an expression of their dedication to protecting and promoting their culture through the ages.

Hisn Al Aswad (Black Fort)

Hisn Al Aswad, also known as Mqinid Fort, is a formidable fortress housing four tall towers located in Wadi Mqinid in the Wilayat of Ibri in the Sultanate of Oman, built in 1564 CE. The fort comprises four main towers: the Wind Tower, used as an observation tower, along with the Granary Tower or Morning Tower, and the Suleiman Tower. The area surrounding the fort is renowned for its fertility and abundant water, situated adjacent to the powerful Wadi Mqinid as it descends from the Green Mountain. The fort is situated on a high rocky hill surrounded by palm groves, with a winding road running alongside it, partially enclosed in some places. It leads towards the main entrance of the fort near the western tower. On the northeastern side of the platform, there is a steep vertical slope downwards, making the road to the sole entrance narrow and challenging for attackers. Hisn Al Aswad is considered one of the prominent historical sites in the Sultanate of Oman, serving as a historical tourist destination attracting visitors to explore its ancient landmarks and unique architecture.

Nizwa Castle

Nizwa Castle, also known as Al-Shabiba, is a massive fortified structure crowned by a great circular tower, considered the largest tower in the Sultanate of Oman. In the past, this distinctive castle served defensive purposes. This remarkable castle remains engraved in Oman’s architectural dictionary as one of the best Omani castles, intertwining its story with the rich history of the Omani people. The castle’s construction dates back to the late 13th and early 14th centuries AD, and archaeological excavations in 1980 revealed its construction dates back to the 14th century. Nizwa Castle is distinguished by its massive circular shape, built around 1650 CE by Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al Ya’arubi. The castle is connected by intricate maze-like corridors, and nearby is the famous Nizwa Souq, renowned for its thriving crafts industries. Nizwa Castle is among the oldest castles in Oman, serving as a prominent archaeological landmark highlighting the region’s history.

Fiqain Castle

Fiqain Castle is located in the town of Fiqain in the Wilayat of Manah in the Sultanate of Oman. This castle was built at the beginning of the Nabhanah rule in 1027 AH / 1617 CE by Sheikh Masoud bin Mohammed bin Suleiman Al Busaidi. The castle is considered a true puzzle and a secret of traditional Omani military architecture, distinguished by its grandeur and strength. The castle consists of four floors containing a group of rooms and storerooms. There is a water well at the entrance of the small castle, with a depth of seven meters. Each floor is connected to the well through an opening linking the fourth floor to the ground floor. Each floor contains a water basin for bathing and washing, with each floor connected to the other via a winding staircase. Each floor features a spacious courtyard, with only one main entrance leading to a specific part of the castle’s sections.

Barka Fort

Barka Fort is located in the center of Barka Wilayat in the market area, about 1 km from the shore of the Gulf of Oman and the Al Batinah coast. The fort stands out as an octagonal tower, with two surveillance towers at the rear, which were part of the city’s defensive wall. Barka Fort is situated on the coastal strip of Barka Wilayat, surrounded by the old market, fish market, and vegetable market belonging to the Wilayat. The structure of the fort consists of several towers distributed on its corners, including a mosque for prayers. In the southwest direction, there is a surveillance tower, from which the wall extends towards the southeast direction where another tower exists to reinforce defense. There used to be towers on the northeast and west sides. The fort was designed with an integrated defensive approach, serving as a headquarters for governance and administration. It housed a courtroom and a waiting hall, along with a tower in the northeast direction.

Nakhal Castle

Nakhal Castle, also known as Husn Al Heem, is considered one of Oman’s best castles and one of the most prominent historical and archaeological landmarks in the Sultanate. It is located at the entrance of Nakhal Wilayat in Wadi Al Raqim, South Al Batinah Governorate, and derives its name from the wilayat itself. The castle is distinguished by its location amidst palm orchards, as it is a fortified building that rises above a rocky outcrop reaching a height of 200 feet at the base of Nakhal Mountain in the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains, northeast of the Green Mountain in Nakhal Wilayat. It is approximately 120 kilometers away from the capital, Muscat. The construction of the castle is characterized by the lack of a specific architectural plan, as the building was planned to resemble an irregularly shaped rock. This is particularly evident in some of the towers, especially on the western side of the castle. The history of the castle dates back to pre-Islamic times when it was built using local materials such as gypsum, gravel, sand, clay, and large stones. It was renovated in the third and tenth centuries Hijri during the rule of the Imams of the Al Bu Khars and Al Ya’arubah tribes. The outer gate, castle walls, and towers were built during the reign of Imam Said bin Sultan in 1834 CE. In 170 AH, Imam Al Salat bin Malik Al Khawsaji renovated the castle and made improvements to guard the sprawling palm farms beneath the mountain slopes. Nakhal Castle is one of the important tourist attractions in the Nakhal and South Al Batinah region, attracting tourists and visitors to explore its historical and architectural beauty. The castle has been restored and equipped to become a tourist attraction that attracts visitors with craftsmanship and archaeological treasures.

Rustaq Castle

Rustaq Castle is considered the highest castle in the Sultanate and one of the best forts in Oman, located on the slopes of Al Hajar Mountains on the edge of the Al Batinah Plain. It is believed that the original construction of the castle was before Islam by four centuries, during the reign of Khosrow Anushirwan bin Qabaz. It was later rebuilt around 1250 CE. The original form of the castle was a triangular tower about 13 meters high. The castle was rebuilt in its current form during the reign of the first Imams of the Al Ya’aruba dynasty from 1624 to 1649. Between 1744 and 1936, additional towers and other expansions were built. Imam Ahmad bin Said Al Busaidi built new fortifications and towers. In 1936, additional defensive barriers were added by Imam Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalili. The castle consists of two main floors and a ground floor, containing residential rooms, weapon stores, reception rooms, and dungeons. Additionally, it includes the Baiada Mosque and the tomb of Imam Saif bin Sultan, which may be underground. The castle underwent comprehensive restoration in 1986. The castle has four main towers:

The Red Tower, with a height of over 16 meters and a diameter of 9.5 meters.
The Wind Tower, with a height of 18 meters and a diameter of 12 meters, surrounded by a hundred decorative triangles.
The Devils’ Tower, with a height of 18.5 meters and a diameter of approximately 6 meters, surrounded by five decorative triangles.
The Modern Tower, with a height of 11.5 meters, featuring gun ports and a central column holding wooden bridges.

The castle housed a number of cannons, with ten cannons in the Modern Tower and three in the Wind Tower, and three others in the lower part of the castle.

Bilad Sur Fort

Bilad Sur Fort is a fortress located east of Sur Wilayat in Oman, surrounded by green areas of palm trees and orchards. The fort was built away from the sea for protection against attacks from the interior Gaz tribes.

The fort is part of a defensive network consisting mainly of five forts and towers. In the past, the fort served as the residence of the governor and a venue for celebrations during festivals and events. The fort consists of four main towers: the Moat Tower, Jalān Tower, Market Tower, and the fourth tower, which differs slightly as it comprises two floors. The first floor of this tower extends outward from the fort on all sides, and the fort wall rises about 6 meters. Various festivals and celebrations are held at Balad Sur Fort, including national celebrations and other cultural and social events.

Muttrah Castle

Muttrah Castle is located in the Muttrah Wilayat in the Muscat Governorate in Oman, on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The fort is distinguished by its ancient historical character, overlooking the Gulf of Oman and welcoming its air laden with memories of ships that traversed it back and forth. Muttrah Castle stands proudly on a rocky outcrop near the shore, atop a narrow rocky plateau. The fort rises high, defiantly facing its historical past, remaining a witness to the events of the past and its bright present. The history of Muttrah Castle remains engraved in its land and walls, where Omanis inscribed the finest epics to preserve their homeland and maintain the independence and unity of their territories. Muttrah Castle is considered one of the important historical landmarks in the region and one of the best forts in Oman, reflecting the depth of Omani civilization and the splendor of its ancient architecture.

General Questions

1. What is the difference between a castle and a fortress?

Fortresses differ from castles in that they are fortified military structures rather than residences. These buildings were specifically constructed during times of war for the purpose of defending specific territories. The origins of fortresses date back thousands of years, believed to have been built before castles, and were erected either permanently or temporarily during battles only. The architectural style of fortresses evolved over time with the use of cannons and explosives, improving their defensive capabilities, especially with military advancements during World War I. Castles, on the other hand, are large fortified residences with strong walls designed to protect against attacks. Castles were first built by European kings in the Middle Ages and were often surrounded by moats to hinder attacks. Castles feature openings in their high walls and gates for shooting arrows through and were used as centers for military and administrative protection, as well as symbols of wealth and power.

2. How many forts and castles are there in Oman?

There are over a thousand historical forts, fortresses, and watchtowers in the Sultanate of Oman, each standing tall, guarding plains, valleys, and mountains. Each of them has its own unique story to tell, playing a vital role in showcasing Oman’s history. These monumental buildings often serve as meeting points for political, social, and religious interaction, as well as centers for knowledge, administration, and social activities. These buildings are often integrated with vibrant markets, mosques, traditional craft neighborhoods, and attractive residential areas, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to discover and experience the history of Oman through these distinctive sites. In conclusion, Oman boasts a rich history and magnificent historical landmarks that embody its beauty and strength through these exceptional castles and fortresses. Salalah Safari Tours offer an ideal opportunity to explore these tourist and historical sites, allowing visitors to discover the beauty and rich history of Oman through enjoyable and exciting tours.