The Castles and Palaces of Oman

Oman has been known as a kingdom to the outside world for centuries. Even though its history has not seen much conflict over years, its royal palaces remain to leave their mark in luxury as well as protection.

Featuring among the most recommended landmarks for tourists availing cheap flights to Oman, here are some of the top castles and palaces for promotion of tourism in the country.

Taqah Castle:

Taqah is a major town off the main highway of Salalah. Its castle housed the local emir in its prime era, and being a public building, was handed over to become a museum to represent the local heritage. Its mud-house structure is mostly plain and simple, with much of defences relying on a crenelated wall. At the entrance, a small garden is shadowed by a couple of palm trees.

The internal rooms mostly house the collection of utensils, instruments, as well as depictions of local work life depending upon production of raw cloth, fishing, as well as agriculture. Pottery and sewing skills influenced by local design are also put up for display. Portraits and vintage rifles are mounted on the entrance walls.

Bahla Fort:

Currently under key focus of UNESCO, the Bahla Fort is one of the largest forts established in the country. The fort has aged much over centuries, with a significant number of walls missing or in ruins. Reconstruction efforts of UNESCO have left multiple areas restricted from tourists. The fort’s magnanimity reflects the scale of prosperity Bahla housed when it was an oasis under the control of a local tribe. The fort overlooks the entire city, whose defences were walled from end to end.

Its sandstone texture is in a perfect match with all the surroundings, helping it to remain camouflaged in the backdrop of hills in front of the valley. Its interior includes a segment dedicated to a mosque, while it remains open for tourists only during the day.

Nizwa Fort:

If there ever stands the strongest fort across the Sultanate of Oman, it is undoubtedly the Nizwa Fort. Its architecture, design and placement are impressive; hidden doors, escapements, shutters and concealments are marked at multiple strategic positions. The most prominent feature is the cannons, few of which are left to mark its military significance. The fort has housed key heads of state such as Imams in times of much required protection.

For dominance across the entire area, its massive towers show a complete panoramic view across the countryside. Special features include an armoury for storage of weapons, a store for rations in times of siege, and a walkway along all the walls on all its sides.

Ras Al Hadd Castle:

This castle was primarily made to serve as an outpost marking the eastern coasts of Oman. Its position is right beside where the Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf meet. It mostly is a huge, plain courtyard, bordered by a high wall. A few shelters along the walls store old furniture. The locality of the castle is a small village of rural people who have inhabited the area for generations