The History & Heritage Tour

Nizwa Fort is one of the oldest forts in Oman and lies in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. It has a unique large round shape. Its height reaches 24 meters,This fort has seven wells and multiple openings for stationing the fighters defending the fort. Nizwa Fort was built by Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Y`aribi in the middle of the seventeenth century. It was this imam who expelled the Portuguese from Oman. The fort, which took 12 years to build, is linked with a castle by means of intricate corridors. Near the fort and castle is the traditional Nizwa market famous for its artifacts.

Bahla Fort lies in Wilayat Bahla in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. Since 1987, its name has been included in the World Heritage Sites List. Bahla Fort includes Bahla Oasis with its traditional souks, old alleys, ancient mosques, and its wall that extends over a distance of approximately 13 kilometers and whose construction dates back to the pre-Islamic era.

Originally, Bahla Fort was built in the third millennium BC. The length of its South façade is about 112 kilometers, while its eastern façade is about 114 meters.
It is evident that the Bahla Wall, which extends over a distance of 12 kilometers, with its terraces, apertures for opening fire and guardhouses, was designed for defense purposes.

Jabreen Castle dates back to 1670. Its design and construction were supervised by the Al Immam BilArab bin Sultan Al Y`aribi (who now rests on the left side of the castle’s main entrance) and was built to resemble the most beautiful palaces of that period. This castle was a beautiful palace for the Immam and his family and a bastion during wartime. It was also a beacon of education and contained many study rooms.

The palace is a large rectangular building consisting of five floors and containing 55 rooms. A Falaj runs through the middle of the castle. This castle is distinguished by the inscriptions and frescoes that adorn its rooms. The castle’s ceilings are decorated with paintings and Islamic-era style inscriptions, and its doors are beautifully carved. All these architectural details make Jabreen Castle an authentic expression of Omani craftsmanship.

Jabreen Castle is divided into two parts: the first rises for sixteen metres and consists of two storeys, whereas the second part rises to twenty-two metres and consists of three storeys. The castle’s rooms are divided between these two sections. The most beautiful and unique of these rooms are:

The Sun and Moon Room: This was the room where the Immam met important visitors for discussions and consultations. What distinguishes this room are those icons and beautiful Islamic calligraphy adorning its ceiling, particularly the eye drawing. It contains 14 windows, seven of which are located at the top near the ceiling and seven are at the bottom. Here lies the secret of the room's cool atmosphere throughout the year, as when cold air enters from the lower windows, it expels the warm air from the top windows

Immam Protection Room: Another distinctive room in this palace. This room was built in a way that allows the Immam’s soldiers to hide underneath it for his protection when he wished to meet with any person he did not trust. There are four secret hideouts under the room connecting with each other.

Jabreen Castle lies about 20 kilometers from City of Bahla in A'Dakhiliyah Region