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Forts in Oman
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Nakhl Fort
Nakhl Fort 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.
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Al-Jalali Fort
Al-Jalali Fort perches on top of a rock on the eastern side of the old harbour of Muscat, overlooking the majestic Al-Alam Palace. Its name is thought to be derived from the Persian name Jalal.
The fort was originally built in the early 16th century by the Portuguese captain Melkior Calaca, with more fortifications and towers being added towards the latter half of the century. Upon its capture by Omani forces in 1650, it was gradually strengthened and rebuilt into its present form.
Al-Jalali is fortified by two towers, connected by a long wall with cannon slits. Rainwater was collected in a reservoir. Apart from access over a small bridge and stairway next to one of its towers, the fort is entirely cut off and cannot be reached by land.
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Al-Mirani Fort
The impregnable Fort of Al-Mirani tops the western rocks of Muscat Bay, flanking Al-Alam Palace. It is thought to be named after one of its Portuguese inhabitants.
The fort was originally built in the early 16th century by the Portuguese, who used it as their major headquarters during the 60 years of their occupation of Oman. Towards the latter half of the century, they added more fortifications and towers to the fort. In 1610 a dock was constructed at the base of the fortification, equipped with a low-level battering ram to repel attacks from passing ships. In 1650, Omani forces expelled the Portuguese, and gradually rebuilt and strengthened the fort into its present form.
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Nizwa Fort
Nizwa Fort, (A'Dakhliyah) 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.
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Bahla Fort
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.
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Nakhl 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.
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Khassab Castle
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.
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Jabrin Fort
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.
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Al Hazm Castle
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. ).
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Sohar Fort
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.
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Mirbat Castle
Dated 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.
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Al Mintrib Castle
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.
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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.
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Al Khandaq Castle
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.
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Qurayyat Fort
Just inland from the sea, roughly 80 Km from the Capital city of Muscat, Qurayyat Fort sits on the outskirts of a breathtaking mountainous road, protecting the Wilayat centre and surrounding palm plantations.
A unique triangular watchtower, perched atop a small rocky islet, stands guard over the harbour area.
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Sadah Fort
Sadah Fort dates back to the era of Sultan Taimour bin Faisal Al-Bu Saidi, perhaps earlier as suggested by the inscriptions on the lintel. The fort is the easternmost of a string of fortifications protecting the coast of Dhofar.
Despite its remote location, Sadah is a prosperous community, boasting a thriving traditional abalone fishery and a history of lucrative frankincense trading. The homes of wealthy myrrh merchants still stand on the foreshore of the town.
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Al-Hillah Fort
Al-Hillah Fort, notable for its distinctive plasterwork motifs, is situated at the heart of Al-Buraimi Oasis, Al-Buraimi Governorate.
The strategic location of Al-Buraimi on the overland route between Sohar and the Arabian Gulf made it a focal point of constant conflicts in past centuries.
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Al-Khandaq Fort
Located in Hamasa town in Wilayat Al-Buraimi, the fort provides an excellent example of an Omani trenched stronghold.
The use of a defensive trench or dry moat is an ancient strategy which was employed in the protection of Omani cities, castles and fortresses in pre-Islamic times. The fort was restored in 1994.
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As-Suwaiq Fort
Located in the Wilayat of As-Suwaiq, west of Barka on the Gulf of Oman, the fort is distinguished by three round corner towers and a square keep in the fourth corner in the style of pre-cannon architecture.
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Barka Fort
Barka Fort is perhaps the most impressive of Oman's massive sand fortresses. Here an inscription records the name of Ahmad bin Said, the first imam of the Al-Bu Said dynasty, and victor of Oman's final battle with the Persians.
A major landmark on Al-Batinah coast, the fort is located a few hundred meters from the shore of the Gulf of Oman, and dates back to the reign of Imam Saif bin Sultan Al-Ya'arubi. It features a unique octagonal tower with two restored watchtowers at the rear, which were once part of the defensive town wall .
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Bait An-Nuaman
Amidst farmland and palm groves to the west of the town of Barka in Al-Batinah Region stands Bait An-Na’aman, an elegant example of a 17th-century fortified palace. The construction of the stronghold is among the many achievements of the political and economic renaissance that took place under the rule of the Al-Ya'aruba Imams.
The building is a two-storey square structure with round towers rising three stories high in each corner.
The lobby leads to a main hall with rooms on both sides and a staircase leading to the second floor. The south-western tower is characterised by a unique dome-shaped ceiling.
Serving as a guesthouse for distinguished travellers, the rural stronghold of Bait An-Na'aman continued to be used until a few decades ago.
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Ibri Fort
Ibri is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Oman. Ibri Fort, a remnant of the original walled city, is a robust structure built to withstand time and a harsh environment.
Within its walls is the beautifully restored Friday Mosque, which continues to serve the people of Ibri to this day.
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Bait Ar-Radaidah
The 17th century bastion of Bait Ar-Radaidah is some 24km from Nizwa at the beginning of Wadi Mu'aiden in A'Dakhliyah.
Combining the traditional elements of defensive and native architecture, its thick turreted perimeter walls of mud brick belie an elegant interior, featuring polylithic arches, painted ceilings and elaborate plasterwork.
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As-Sunaisilah Fort
The fort stands high on a knoll overlooking the harbour and the boat-building yards of Sur in Ash-Sharqiyah Region.
For more than 300 years, the fort has witnessed the continuous interaction between the people of Sur and the sea. The design of the fort is a true reflection of the architectural style of that era, with an overall archetypal square plan with round towers at each of its four corners.
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Bilad Sur Fort
Bilad Sur Fort in Wilayat Sur, A'Sharqiyah Region, stands proudly among lush groves of date palms.
Strategically sited inland from the sea and a defence against raiding invaders from the interior, the fort is part of a comprehensive network of regional defences that originally comprised five fortresses and numerous watchtowers.
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Jalan Bani Bu Hassan Fort
The fort of Jalan Bani Bu Hassan was built as part of a defensive system and was originally part of a vast protective barricade for the city. The city itself is famous for its Arabian horses and skillful equestrians that perform on special occasions such as weddings, festivals and other ceremonial occasions.
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Entrance Fees
Adults: 500 Baisas
Children 6-12 years: 200 Baisas
(100 Baisas when accompanied by family)
Special holiday discount for Eid al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and National Day, and on April 18th (International Heritage Day):
Adults: 300 Baisas
Children 6-12 years: 100 Baisas
Official Visits and School Groups are free
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Archaeological Sites
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Ubar
It lies in Shisr district, south of the Empty Quarter desert some 170 kms north of Salalah. Islamic sources refer to it as the home of the Azd people and record that the overland frankincense and incense trade route passed through the Empty Quarter. Carried out surveys and exploratory work on the site found pottery, glass, incense containers and fragments of chess set which dates it from the 1st century BC up to the early and middle Islamic period. It would appear that the site flourished as a trade centre up to the beginning of the 16th century AD when it ceased to be of commercial importance following the collapse of the frankincense trade.
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Sumharam
It is adjacent to the lagoon on the coastal strip in Taqa, 40 kms east of Salalah. Historical sources and archaeological exploration indicated that the history of this city spans several eras ? some dating back as far as the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD and others date from the 4th century BC. Inscriptions in the South Arabian alphabet give clues which indicate the city was built to reinforce its people's control over the frankincense trade. Coins also found indicate it was the site referred to as Sumharam and the port of Moscha in two Greek texts dating from the period between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
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Al-Bleed
It lies on Salalah's coastal strip and covers an area of 640,000 square metres. During the Middle Ages the town played an important role in world trade through its harbor and links with the ports of China, India, Sind, Yemen and East Africa, as well as with Iraq and Europe. The area was inhabited from the end of the 5th and beginning of the 4th millennia BC. The city was re-established in the 10th century AD
The main archaeological discoveries in al Baleed include the great mosque which has around 144 pillars. It has outbuildings, a minaret and is believed to have been built during the 13th century AD and remained in use until the 17th century AD. The city is surrounded by a moat.
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Ras Al-Hamra
The site was discovered by archaeological survey conducted in the 1970, but the actual excavations started in 1980. The site dates back to the middle of the fourth millennium BC.
Excavations revealed the presence of settlements built of sand, shells, fish bones, ash, and coal. The findings contain fishing tools, hooks made of shell, while the net - sinkers, Hammers and Axes were made of stone and women's ornaments made of shells.
It is noted that the skeletons discovered in the site were buried in a sitting position facing the sea (the source of subsistence); some of the skeletons were grasping pieces of pearls. The site was called (The early Omani Fishermen Civilization).
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Bat Tombs
Located to the east of Ibri. Archaeological excavations commenced in 1976. UNESCO listed the site in 1988 as World Heritage. Two types of cemeteries were discovered in Bat Necropolis: Umman - Nar Tomb and the "Beehive Tomb", dated back to 3000 B.C. Important findings include objects of red pottery ware and other red color pottery of good quality decorated with horizontal black lines in addition to pottery objects with holders for hanging some of carnelian beads and copper flakes were found in the site.
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Ras Al-Jinz
It is located in Sur. Excavations started in this site in 1985. It is a settlemen t consisting of several buildings made of sun - dried mud bricks. The most important findings are: A pinkish potsherd bearing a four - sign inscriptions of Indus Valley Civilization; and a Frankincense burner made of limestone dated back to the year 2200 ? 2100 B.C, two objects of stone vessels made of Porphyry dated to the early Egyptian Civilization and different collection of necklaces and stamp seals.
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AlManzifah
It is located in the lower part of Ibra (Sufalat). Although the buildings are crumbling, it is clear what an impressive town this was. There are four storied houses with elaborately designed crenellations. The arches and plasterwork display fine craftsmanship. The wooden doors are substantial with handmade bolts and nails complementing the intricate carvings.
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Al-Jaylah Tombs
The tombs are situated on the top of the mountains, and the route is a difficult and challenging drive out of Ibra. Late in 1991, a team of archeologists made the first scientific inspection of the site of the tombs. Ninety tombs, dating from the 3rd millennium, have been found in the area. In 1994, one was opened to reveal skeletal remains and burial goods, including beads and fragments of pottery.
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Samad Ashan
In the beginning of early eighties, archaeological excavations concentrated on the study of burial areas and their contents. The cemeteries discovered consist of holes of a rectangular shape surrounded from outside by stones. It contained pottery jars of different sizes, stamp seals made of stone, metal vessels, arrowheads, bronze spears, bronze horse head and several types of beads made of shell and animal bones remains. After studying the findings, three types of cemeteries were noted: Men's burial containing bronze weapons, women's burial containing bronze necklaces and ornaments, children's burial containing pottery jars. In 1989 a burial area was discovered containing a small camel with a necklace hanging down from its neck. After studying this find, it is evident that the camel dates back to the "Late Iron Age" (200 B.C / 629 AD), marking it to be the first dated camel in Arabian Peninsula.
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Wadi Dawkah
Wadi Dawkah is part of a chain of sites that have been historically linked to the Dhofar region's frankincense and incense trade. It lies beyond the northern slopes of the Dhofar mountain range some 35 kms north of Salalah and here frankincense trees (Boswelia sacra) grow in abundance .
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Bait Al-Qufl
Or 'House of the Lock' is a miniature stronghold built of local stone to store supplies of grain, dates and other items crucial to the survival of the household; a form of architecture unique to Musandam. The roof is made from timbers of acacia, covered with a mix of earth and gravel with an edging of stone blocks. Inside, the floor is about one metre below ground and there are raised slabs for storing goods. Entry is difficult as the heavy door extends to the sunken floor, opens inwards and is deeply recessed. It is secured by an elaborate locking system which gives the structure its name.
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Qalhat
The original town stood on a cliff overlooking the sea, but today only remnants of the city walls remain. In the 13th century, it was the main port of trade with the interior and was famous for its export of horses to, and import of spices from India. In the 14th century, the town was destroyed by a major earthquake. When the Portuguese occupied the area in the early 16th century, they made the town their outhernmost stronghold until they were evicted towards the end of the century. The town soon declined to become an outpost of Sur. The tomb of the holy lady, Bibi Maryam, stands high upon the cliff top. Now crumbling, it was once a splendid edifice, its domed interior covered in glazed colourful tiles.
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Mosques
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The Ground Mosque
In 1992 Sultan Qaboos directed that his country of Oman should have a Grand Mosque. A competition for its design took place in 1993 and after a site was chosen at Bausher construction commenced in 1995. Building work, which was undertaken by Carillion took six years and four months.
The Mosque is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone. The main musalla (prayer hall) is square (external dimensions 74.4 x 74.4 metres) with a central dome rising to a height of fifty metres above the floor. The dome and the main minaret (90 metres) and four flanking minarets (45.5 metres) are the mosque's chief visual features. The main musalla can hold over 6,500 worshippers, while the women's musalla can accommodate 750 worshippers. The outer paved ground can hold 8,000 worshippers and there is additional space available in the interior courtyard and the passageways, making a total capacity of up to 20,000 worshippers.
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AlMuthmar Mosque
Located in Sumail
The first mosque in Oman (the Islam's spreading out point into Oman)
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Zawawi Mosque
This mosque was built by Sheik Zawawi. The dome is shaped like an inverted lotus and is made of pink marble covered in 22-carat gold leaf.
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Falaj
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Falaj Daris
Located in Al-Jeela village, Willayat Sur is an Aini falaj fed by Wadi Shab and this is a remote village. It is the main water source of the village with a total length of its open (not covered) channel of (161) meters, which starts from the wellhead and ends at the water catchments basin and is used for irrigation of plants such as palm and pomegranate and some other seasonal plants. The cultivated area is estimated to be 10034 square meters while the total demand area is 14000 square meters. It is also used for other domestic purposes.
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Falaj Al-Khatmeen
Located in Niabat Birkat Al-Mauz, Willayat Nizwa. It is one of the most important Daudi falaj fed by Wadi Al Maiden, which is characterized by its abundant flow during rainfall. It is of a total length from the mother well up to Sharia (the point at which water first appear on the surface of the earth) about 2450 meters. It is very accurate in its distribution of the falaj water and permanent flow throughout the year. One of its channels passes through one of the famous forts in Oman called Bait Al-Radidah which was build during Yoruba era during the period 1649-1711. Therefore it is one of Niabat Birkat Al-Mauz archeological features.
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Falaj Al-Malki
Located in Willayat Izki and it is another archeological feature inscribed in the World Heritage List. It is one of the most ancient falaj in Oman. It is called after Malik bin Fahm Al-Azdi and one of the largest falaj in terms of its branches which total to 17 branches. It irrigates a large area of plants and palm trees gardens. It is divided into two divisions one to irrigate Al-Nazar area and the other Al-Yemen area which are considered ancient archeological sites in Oman. Due to climate conditions of the area in terms of low rainfall in addition to severe pressure faced by the reservoir feeding the falaj as a result of development expansion, the falaj water flow declined particularly during droughts, but the structure and the falaj channel are still in good condition and it was provided by a number of support wells to flow in its Sharia so as to enhance its water flow, but still the falaj water deficit is great.
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Falaj Al-Mayser
It is one of the Adai deep falaj, where the depth reaches 50 meters under the surface and it is one of the most important falaj in Willayat Al-Rustaq with a large flow of water. The total length of its channels is 5783 meters. It is characterized by its permanent flow as it is fed by two different wadis comprised of sedimentary layers. Local people, who are estimated to be 7000 people, depend on this falaj for irrigation of their agricultural land which its area is 1133698 square meters. The falaj is divided in the town into two divisions. The falaj water is pure, where the EC value 508 MS/cm, pH value 7.61 and temperature 31.9º C and the water flow is affected by both wadis Al-Fara and Al-Sin flow where it may increase to reach 900 l/s during the rise in the water levels and decreases to reach 100 l/s during the decline in the water levels .
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